Shooting At San Diego Mosque Leaves Three Dead: Police Respond To Active Shooter Incident

San Diego Mosque Shooting: Three Killed in Attack on Islamic Center. Suspects Dead After Police Response

Police in San Diego have confirmed that three adults were killed during an attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the Clairemont neighborhood on Monday, May 18, 2026. Two suspects, aged 17 and 19, were also found dead after a confrontation with law enforcement, with authorities stating they died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The incident, which began as a reported active shooter situation, has been described as neutralized by police.

The attack unfolded around 11:43 a.m. Local time when officers responded to reports of gunfire near the mosque. Three men were found dead in front of the Islamic Center, and shortly afterward, police encountered a vehicle containing the two suspects, who were also deceased. Police Chief Scott Wahl stated that no officers fired their weapons during the confrontation.

A landscaper working nearby was shot at but escaped injury. The Islamic Center serves as both a place of worship and an educational facility, and an imam confirmed that all teachers, students, and staff present at the time of the incident were safe.

The Clairemont neighborhood, where the mosque is located, is approximately 8 miles north of downtown San Diego. Authorities have not yet provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the shooting, but investigations are ongoing.

No immediate claims of responsibility have been made, and law enforcement agencies are working to determine the motives behind the attack. The Islamic Center of San Diego has been a target of previous threats, with police recently neutralizing a separate threat at the same location.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area and have requested that anyone with information about the incident come forward. The San Diego Police Department will provide further updates as details emerge.

For those seeking support, the following resources are available:

• San Diego Police Department Non-Emergency Line: 858-565-5200
• Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 for immediate support
• Muslim Mental Health Collective: Support resources for the Muslim community