Three people, including a mosque security guard, were shot to death on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the Clairemont neighborhood. The two attackers were found dead in a car a few streets away. According to the police, they probably committed suicide.
“The threat at the Islamic Center has been neutralized,” San Diego police wrote on the X platform about an hour after the first reports of the shooting. Officers inform that five people died, including two perpetrators.
Donald Trump knows about the shooting
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the situation and the administration “will be watching the matter very closely.” – They are presenting a report on this matter in the mosque… and it is a terrible situation – said the US president, quoted by CNN.
Almost as police arrived at the mosque, reports of additional shots fired several blocks away began to arrive, CNN and Axios reported. The police reported that an employee of a gardening company was shot at, but was not injured. The officers found a car with the bodies of two suspects. Investigators are currently analyzing surveillance footage and other evidence to try to determine the motive for the attack.
The mosque's head, Imam Taha Hassane, called the attack “an outrageous act of violence against a place of worship.” He emphasized that the Islamic center serves prayer, education and community meetings. The center also serves as a school; According to authorities, all children were evacuated safely under police escort.
The shooting occurred during Dhul Hijjah – one of the holiest months in Islam, which begins the season of pilgrimage (hajj) and leads to Eid al-Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice). California Governor Gavin Newsom and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said they are being updated on the situation.
