Three people have been killed in a shooting at a mosque in San Diego, California, which officials believe was perpetrated by two teenage attackers.
The attack took place on Monday morning as officers were investigating a call about a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home.
Police were alerted to the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and found three victims who had been shot in front of the building.
Following the mosque shooting, officers received another call about shots fired from a vehicle at a landscaper. The suspects, ages 17 and 18, were later found dead of self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle not far from the mosque.
Among the deceased victims was a security guard who worked at the center and is credited with preventing further casualties.
The FBI is investigating the incident as a hate crime, citing the discovery of problematic writings by one of the suspects' mothers.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed the timeline, stating, The first call came at 11:43 local time, and there were no signs of any ongoing threat or gunman at the mosque when officers arrived.
Authorities indicated that police had been in contact with the suspects' mother earlier in the day after she reported her son had left home with multiple firearms and a vehicle.
One of the suspects was reported to have left a note with hate-filled rhetoric, although police found no specific threats in it.
The incident occurred just days before Eid al-Adha, a significant holiday in the Muslim calendar. Imam Taha Hassane condemned the act as targeted violence against a place of worship.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed horror at the shooting, highlighting the need for protection against acts of terror directed at communities of faith.
Overall, the tragedy has sparked somber reflections on safety and the ongoing challenges surrounding gun violence and hate crimes in the U.S.
