Largest Mosque in San Diego Attacked by Two Armed Teenagers; Three Men Killed

Two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the United States on Monday, 18 May 2026. The deadly incident killed three men before the two suspects ended their own lives a few blocks from the scene, according to local police. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said at a press conference held in a park opposite the mosque that the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD) is being investigated as a suspected hate crime. Wahl added that details about the suspects’ background and the motive would be disclosed in the coming days.

Among the dead was a mosque security guard. Police believe the guard played a crucial role in preventing a far higher number of casualties. The Islamic Center is the largest mosque complex in San Diego County. Inside it lies the Al Rashid School, which provides Arabic language classes, Islamic studies, and the Quran for students aged five and up. “All the children are safe,” Wahl said emotionally, as reported by AP News, Tuesday, 19 May 2026 local time. “Our hearts are with the families of those affected as they are being informed about what happened to their loved ones.”