San Diego Mosque Capturing Timeline: How 2 Teenagers Evaded Cops Earlier than Assault
Two teenage suspects fatally shot three folks outdoors a mosque in San Diego, California, in what authorities imagine could also be a hate crime, earlier than taking their very own lives, police stated on Monday.
The assault unfolded on the Islamic Middle of San Diego, prompting a big emergency response and lockdowns at close by faculties.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated officers responding to the scene discovered three victims with gunshot wounds outdoors the mosque. Shortly afterwards, the suspects — aged 17 and 18 — have been found useless inside a car just a few blocks away from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

“It’s honest to say the safety guard’s actions have been heroic,” Wahl stated, including that the guard probably prevented the incident from changing into “a lot worse”.
What occurred
Police stated they have been already investigating a report of a presumably suicidal teenager when the capturing occurred.
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- At round 11.43 am native time, officers have been alerted to gunfire on the mosque
- Three victims have been discovered useless outdoors the constructing
- Whereas officers have been clearing the premises, one other capturing was reported close by
- The suspects had fired from a car at a landscaper, who survived
- Police later positioned the suspects useless within the car
- A witness instructed CBS he heard as much as 30 photographs fired in bursts.
Authorities confirmed no officers discharged their weapons in the course of the incident.
Who have been the suspects
The suspects have been recognized as two teenage males, aged 17 and 18.
Police stated:
- One suspect had left residence earlier with firearms belonging to his mom
- The pair have been reportedly wearing camouflage
- A notice left behind contained “generalised hate rhetoric and hate speech”
- No particular goal had been talked about within the notice
Investigators stated the mosque could have been chosen due to its non secular identification, making it a suspected hate crime.
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Victims and response
Amongst these killed was a safety guard on the mosque, described as a father of eight. Officers stated he performed a vital function in limiting casualties.

The mosque advanced features a faculty, and kids have been current in the course of the capturing. Footage confirmed college students being escorted to security as police secured the realm.
The FBI has appealed for public help within the investigation.
Official reactions
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria stated on X that authorities have been “actively working to guard the neighborhood and safe the realm”.
I’m conscious of the lively shooter scenario on the Islamic Middle of San Diego in Clairemont and am persevering with to obtain updates from legislation enforcement. Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to guard the neighborhood and safe the realm.
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) Could 18, 2026
The San Diego Police Division added that the scenario was “contained” and a reunification centre had been arrange for households.
The scene at 7050 Eckstrom Ave continues to be lively however contained. We’ve important sources on scene at the moment.
We’ve established a reunification location at 4125 Hathaway Avenue, SD, CA 92111 #SDPDPIO
— San Diego Police Division (@SanDiegoPD) Could 18, 2026
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated he was “horrified” by the assault, including that the state “won’t tolerate acts of terror or intimidation towards communities of religion”.
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US President Donald Trump referred to as it a “horrible scenario” and stated authorities would study the case intently.
The assault comes simply days earlier than Eid al-Adha, some of the important festivals in Islam.
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Middle, condemned the violence, saying: “It is a home of worship, not a battlefield.” The incident has heightened issues over security at non secular websites and potential hate-driven violence within the US.

