3 killed in shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego, police say; 2 suspects also dead
What to know about the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego
- Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, and two suspected shooters were found dead inside a vehicle nearby, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said. The FBI said both of the suspects were teenagers.
- Police earlier said the threat at the Islamic Center "has been neutralized" after officers responded to a reported active shooter around 11:43 a.m. local time.
- Residents were urged to avoid the area of Eckstrom Avenue, where the mosque is located, amid a heavy police presence, CBS affiliate KFMB-TV reported.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Trump says he's been briefed on Islamic Center shooting
President Trump described the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a "terrible situation" and said that he's been briefed.
"I've been given some early updates," Mr. Trump told reporters Monday at the White House.
The president added that he'll be getting more information later today and "looking at it very strongly."
Imam spoke about rise in threats in 2023
The imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego spoke to CBS News in 2023 in the wake of an unprecedented rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks across the U.S. following the war between Israel and Hamas.
"I've seen things this time that I've never seen before happening to my community members … even after 9/11,"
Imam Taha Hassane said at the time.
"At times like this, I see the pain in the faces of my community members. I feel that pain as well," he said. "I belong to a strong community. Resilient community."
Islamic Center shooting being investigated as a hate crime, police say
The deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being investigated as a hate crime, police said.
"Because of the Islamic Center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it's not," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
The FBI has not determined any motive as the investigation is ongoing, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the San Diego Field Office said.
2 suspected shooters found dead inside vehicle, San Diego police chief says
Two suspected shooters involved in the attack were found dead inside a vehicle, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told reporters.
The FBI said both shooters were teenagers.
Moments after police responded to reports of gunfire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, officers were called to another nearby location and discovered a vehicle in the middle of the street. The two suspected shooters were found inside, both deceased, Wahl said.
3 confirmed dead following shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego, police say
Three people are confirmed dead following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, police said.
The victims were observed out in front as police arrived, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a news conference.
Police confirmed that a security guard was among those killed.
Imam says all children and staff at Islamic Center are safe
Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego said all children and staff who were at the mosque are safe.
"We are safe," the imam said in a video message posted to the center's social media. "The entire school is safe. All the kids are safe and the teachers are safe. We have few casualties, not confirmed yet, there is no threat at this moment."
Taha Hassane urged everyone to stay away from the mosque, saying it is closed for the remainder of the day.
There were 2 shooters at Islamic Center of San Diego, sources say
There were two shooters at the Islamic Center of San Diego, one of whom is dead, two law enforcement sources tell CBS News.
"Reports indicate multiple injured people and Sharp Memorial Hospital is receiving patients," a spokesperson for Sharp Memorial Hospital said in a statement. "Our disaster procedures have been activated and we are coordinating with the County of San Diego and other resources to respond to the incident."
Threat at the Islamic Center of San Diego "has been neutralized," police say
San Diego police the threat at the Islamic Center of San Diego "has been neutralized."
More details are expected to be provided by local authorities at a news conference near a park located adjacent to the mosque, according to police.
Witness who called 911 describes hearing gunshots
A witness who lives near the Islamic Center of San Diego said he called 911 after hearing about two dozen gunshots.
"It definitely sounded like gunshots, and we were concerned and putting our heads down inside the house," the witness said.
He described hearing at least a dozen gunshots before a pause, then about another dozen gunshots and another pause before more shots resumed.
San Diego police have not confirmed if shots were fired.
San Diego police say scene at Islamic Center is "active but contained"
San Diego police say the scene at the Islamic Center is "active but contained." It wasn't immediately clear if shots were fired.
"We have significant resources on scene at this time," police said, adding that a reunification location has been established nearby at San Diego Clairemont Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest Mosque in San Diego County, according to its website.
Police responding to possible active shooter at Islamic Center of San Diego
San Diego police said officers are responding to a reported active shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
"Please avoid the area. Updates to follow," police said on social media.
California Gov. Newsom has been briefed on situation
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office says the governor has been briefed "on an evolving situation in Clairemont community of San Diego, near the Islamic Center."
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local law enforcement, the office said on social media.
"We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities," the post read.
