The investigation into the deadly shooting outside the Islamic Centre of San Diego has uncovered alarming new details, with authorities revealing that the mother of one of the teenage suspects had warned police hours earlier that her son was suicidal and that firearms were missing from the family home. According to San Diego Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Wahl, one of the suspects was a student at Madison High School, located about 1.1 miles north of the mosque.&nbsp;“He was associated with the school as a student,” Wahl said during a press briefing. Authorities identified the suspects as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez. Police said the pair shot and killed three men at the mosque on Monday before apparently turning the guns on themselves a few blocks away.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-america-s-republican-primaries-are-drawing-national-attention-ahead-of-the-2026-midterms-wion-decodes-1779182928403">Why America’s Republican primaries are drawing national attention ahead of the 2026 midterms | WION Decodes</a>&nbsp;Wahl said the mother of one of the teenagers contacted police shortly before the shooting, reporting that her son had run away from home and may have taken firearms with him. She also warned dispatchers that he was suicidal. According to police, the woman handed over a suicide note she had found, though authorities did not disclose its contents.&nbsp;Wahl said the mother also reported that several weapons and her vehicle were missing from the home. She further informed officers that her son was travelling with another person and that both teenagers were “dressed in camo”.&nbsp;Police then began using licence plate reader technology and other investigative tools to track the vehicle. Officers were dispatched to locations, including a shopping mall and Madison High School, as part of the search effort. At around 11:43 am local time, officers were with the suspect’s mother only a few streets away from the mosque when reports emerged of an active shooter at the Islamic Centre of San Diego.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-russia-s-massive-power-of-siberia-2-gas-pipeline-dominate-xi-putin-talks-in-beijing-what-is-it-wion-decodes-1779175340632">Putin Heads to Beijing With a Giant Pipeline Plan, What is ‘Power of Siberia 2’?</a><h2>Shooting being investigated as possible hate crime</h2>The two teenagers were later found dead inside the vehicle from what police described as apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The bodies of the three victims were discovered at the mosque. Wahl said investigators had uncovered evidence of “generalised hate rhetoric” linked to the case and that authorities were examining the shooting as a possible hate crime.

Two teens, Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez, killed three men at a San Diego mosque before dying by suicide. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a potential hate crime.

The investigation into the deadly shooting outside the Islamic Centre of San Diego has uncovered alarming new details, with authorities revealing that the mother of one of the teenage suspects had warned police hours earlier that her son was suicidal and that firearms were missing from the family home. According to San Diego Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Wahl, one of the suspects was a student at Madison High School, located about 1.1 miles north of the mosque. “He was associated with the school as a student,” Wahl said during a press briefing. Authorities identified the suspects as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez. Police said the pair shot and killed three men at the mosque on Monday before apparently turning the guns on themselves a few blocks away. Also read: Why America’s Republican primaries are drawing national attention ahead of the 2026 midterms | WION Decodes Wahl said the mother of one of the teenagers contacted police shortly before the shooting, reporting that her son had run away from home and may have taken firearms with him. She also warned dispatchers that he was suicidal. According to police, the woman handed over a suicide note she had found, though authorities did not disclose its contents. Wahl said the mother also reported that several weapons and her vehicle were missing from the home. She further informed officers that her son was travelling with another person and that both teenagers were “dressed in camo”. Police then began using licence plate reader technology and other investigative tools to track the vehicle. Officers were dispatched to locations, including a shopping mall and Madison High School, as part of the search effort. At around 11:43 am local time, officers were with the suspect’s mother only a few streets away from the mosque when reports emerged of an active shooter at the Islamic Centre of San Diego. Also read: Putin Heads to Beijing With a Giant Pipeline Plan, What is ‘Power of Siberia 2’? Shooting being investigated as possible hate crime The two teenagers were later found dead inside the vehicle from what police described as apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The bodies of the three victims were discovered at the mosque. Wahl said investigators had uncovered evidence of “generalised hate rhetoric” linked to the case and that authorities were examining the shooting as a possible hate crime.

Two teens, Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez, killed three men at a San Diego mosque before dying by suicide. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a potential hate crime.

San Diego mosque shooting: Suspect’s mother reveals her teen son was ‘suicidal’, stole firearms from home

A deadly shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in southern California on Monday (May 18) morning has left three people dead, with authorities now investigating the incident as a hate crime. The attack unfolded shortly before midday prayers when two teenage gunmen allegedly opened fire inside the mosque complex before later turning their weapons on themselves, according to police. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the probe as investigators examine anti-Islamic material reportedly linked to the suspects. Calling the incident “every community’s worst nightmare”, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said authorities were still piecing together the sequence of events and motives behind the attack.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-state-tv-launches-sacrifice-life-campaign-host-shoots-at-uae-flag-dubai-burning-gives-ak-47-kalashnikov-training-demo-1779166110243">Iran's state TV launches ‘Sacrifice Life’ campaign: Host shoots at UAE flag, gives AK-47 training demo: WATCH</a>&nbsp;US President Donald Trump also reacted to the shooting, describing it as a “terrible situation”. He added, “I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.”<h2>How the shooting unfolded</h2>Police said the first emergency call came in at around 11.43 am local time, just before worshippers gathered for midday prayers at the mosque. Officers arriving at the Islamic Centre found three victims who had been fatally shot. At nearly the same time, dispatchers received another report about gunfire coming from a vehicle located roughly two blocks away from the mosque. When officers reached the second scene, they discovered the two suspects dead from what authorities described as self-inflicted gunshot wounds.<h2>Who were the teen suspects?</h2>Authorities have officially confirmed that the suspects were aged 17 and 18, though their identities have not yet been formally released. Several American media outlets, however, identified them as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18. Investigators revealed that hours before the attack, police had received a call from the mother of one of the teenagers reporting that her son had gone missing along with her car and firearms.&nbsp;According to police, the woman also warned that her son was suicidal and likely travelling with a friend. She reportedly told officers that both young men were dressed in military-style fatigues. Investigators later found both suspects dead inside or near the vehicle linked to the earlier report. Police also confirmed that one of the teenagers had ties to Madison High School, located about a mile from the mosque.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cuba-warns-of-bloodbath-if-us-attacks-amid-rising-tensions-as-washington-imposes-new-sanctions-1779146675749">Cuba warns of ‘bloodbath’ if US attacks amid new sanctions and rising tensions</a>&nbsp;The FBI joined the investigation after officers reportedly discovered anti-Islamic writings inside the suspects’ vehicle. According to NBC News, one of the teenagers allegedly left behind a suicide note containing references to racial pride. At the same time, hate speech was also reportedly found scrawled on one of the weapons used in the shooting.&nbsp;The discovery of the writings prompted federal authorities to investigate the attack as a possible hate crime. However, Chief Wahl cautioned that the material recovered so far did not contain any direct threat specifically targeting the mosque.&nbsp;“There was no specific threat, especially no specific threat to the Islamic Center. It was just general hate kind of speech that I think covered a wide gamut,” Wahl told reporters. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as federal and local agencies continue examining evidence connected to the shooting. &nbsp;

Two teenagers killed three people at a San Diego mosque before committing suicide. The FBI is investigating the attack as a hate crime after discovering anti-Islamic material.

A deadly shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in southern California on Monday (May 18) morning has left three people dead, with authorities now investigating the incident as a hate crime. The attack unfolded shortly before midday prayers when two teenage gunmen allegedly opened fire inside the mosque complex before later turning their weapons on themselves, according to police. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the probe as investigators examine anti-Islamic material reportedly linked to the suspects. Calling the incident “every community’s worst nightmare”, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said authorities were still piecing together the sequence of events and motives behind the attack. Also read: Iran's state TV launches ‘Sacrifice Life’ campaign: Host shoots at UAE flag, gives AK-47 training demo: WATCH US President Donald Trump also reacted to the shooting, describing it as a “terrible situation”. He added, “I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.” How the shooting unfolded Police said the first emergency call came in at around 11.43 am local time, just before worshippers gathered for midday prayers at the mosque. Officers arriving at the Islamic Centre found three victims who had been fatally shot. At nearly the same time, dispatchers received another report about gunfire coming from a vehicle located roughly two blocks away from the mosque. When officers reached the second scene, they discovered the two suspects dead from what authorities described as self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Who were the teen suspects? Authorities have officially confirmed that the suspects were aged 17 and 18, though their identities have not yet been formally released. Several American media outlets, however, identified them as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18. Investigators revealed that hours before the attack, police had received a call from the mother of one of the teenagers reporting that her son had gone missing along with her car and firearms. According to police, the woman also warned that her son was suicidal and likely travelling with a friend. She reportedly told officers that both young men were dressed in military-style fatigues. Investigators later found both suspects dead inside or near the vehicle linked to the earlier report. Police also confirmed that one of the teenagers had ties to Madison High School, located about a mile from the mosque. Also read: Cuba warns of ‘bloodbath’ if US attacks amid new sanctions and rising tensions The FBI joined the investigation after officers reportedly discovered anti-Islamic writings inside the suspects’ vehicle. According to NBC News, one of the teenagers allegedly left behind a suicide note containing references to racial pride. At the same time, hate speech was also reportedly found scrawled on one of the weapons used in the shooting. The discovery of the writings prompted federal authorities to investigate the attack as a possible hate crime. However, Chief Wahl cautioned that the material recovered so far did not contain any direct threat specifically targeting the mosque. “There was no specific threat, especially no specific threat to the Islamic Center. It was just general hate kind of speech that I think covered a wide gamut,” Wahl told reporters. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as federal and local agencies continue examining evidence connected to the shooting.

Two teenagers killed three people at a San Diego mosque before committing suicide. The FBI is investigating the attack as a hate crime after discovering anti-Islamic material.

San Diego mosque shooting: Everything we know about teen suspects

Authorities investigating the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego said the two suspects found dead in a nearby vehicle were teenagers. Mark Remily, the special agent in charge of the FBI in San Diego, confirmed on Monday (May 18) that the suspects were juveniles but did not release their identities. Scott Wahl, San Diego Police Chief, later said the suspects were 17 and 19 years old. Police are currently treating the shooting as a possible hate crime because the attack targeted the Islamic Center, according to Chief Wahl.&nbsp;“Because of the Islamic Center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” Wahl said. The police chief added that local investigators are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine the motive behind the attack. “We will work closely with the FBI to make sure that we are matching all the resources that we need for this investigation,” Wahl said. The shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque comes amid growing reports of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination across the United States, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/san-diego-mosque-shooting-police-neutralise-shooter-after-active-threat-at-least-3-dead-1779137213424">San Diego mosque shooting: Police 'neutralise' shooter after active threat; at least 3 dead</a><h2>Security guard killed in mosque shooting was ‘pivotal’ in stopping more harm</h2>The Muslim civil rights advocacy group said it received 8,683 complaints nationwide in 2025, marking the highest number reported in a single year since the organization began tracking incidents in 1996. Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive for Monday’s shooting. Police said a security guard at the mosque was among the victims and may have helped prevent even greater loss of life during the attack.&nbsp;“One of the deceased is a security guard who works there, and I think played a pivotal role in preventing this from being much worse,” Chief Scott Wahl said during a news conference. Officials confirmed that three adult men were killed in the shooting, including the security guard. According to police, emergency response teams discovered the victims outside the sprawling mosque complex before later locating the two suspected gunmen dead inside a nearby vehicle in what authorities believe was a suicide. The investigation into the deadly shooting remains ongoing.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/researchers-say-bees-may-have-earth-s-hidden-compass-1779125448216/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/researchers-say-bees-may-have-earth-s-hidden-compass-1779125448216/embed</a><h2>Suspects appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds: Police chief&nbsp;</h2>Suspects in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego ‘appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds’, Scott Wahl said during a news briefing. The suspects were identified as two males. “There were no officers involved in firing their weapons. But that is still very preliminary at this point. But that’s what we believe,” Wahl added.<h2>‘Probe will rely on extensive evidence’, says San Diego Police Chief&nbsp;</h2>Investigators at both local and federal levels are still working to determine what led up to the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, with officials saying the probe will rely on extensive evidence. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators expect a large volume of material to review as they piece together the sequence of events. “There’s going to be a tremendous amount of information and details that we’re going to try to sort and put this puzzle back together again,” Chief Scott Wahl said. He added that video footage from the Islamic Center’s security cameras will play a key role in the investigation. The FBI has already arrived at the scene and pledged full support and resources to assist local authorities in the ongoing inquiry.<h2>‘Terrible situation’, says Trump</h2>President Donald Trump briefed reporters that he’s been given some early information on the San Diego mosque shooting and that his administration will continue to monitor the situation. “They’re giving a briefing on it, at the mosque … and it’s a terrible situation,” Trump said during a healthcare event at the White House. “I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.”

San Diego police are treating the deadly Islamic Center shooting as a possible hate crime after three victims and two teenage suspects were found dead

Authorities investigating the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego said the two suspects found dead in a nearby vehicle were teenagers. Mark Remily, the special agent in charge of the FBI in San Diego, confirmed on Monday (May 18) that the suspects were juveniles but did not release their identities. Scott Wahl, San Diego Police Chief, later said the suspects were 17 and 19 years old. Police are currently treating the shooting as a possible hate crime because the attack targeted the Islamic Center, according to Chief Wahl. “Because of the Islamic Center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” Wahl said. The police chief added that local investigators are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine the motive behind the attack. “We will work closely with the FBI to make sure that we are matching all the resources that we need for this investigation,” Wahl said. The shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque comes amid growing reports of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination across the United States, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Also Read: San Diego mosque shooting: Police 'neutralise' shooter after active threat; at least 3 dead Security guard killed in mosque shooting was ‘pivotal’ in stopping more harm The Muslim civil rights advocacy group said it received 8,683 complaints nationwide in 2025, marking the highest number reported in a single year since the organization began tracking incidents in 1996. Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive for Monday’s shooting. Police said a security guard at the mosque was among the victims and may have helped prevent even greater loss of life during the attack. “One of the deceased is a security guard who works there, and I think played a pivotal role in preventing this from being much worse,” Chief Scott Wahl said during a news conference. Officials confirmed that three adult men were killed in the shooting, including the security guard. According to police, emergency response teams discovered the victims outside the sprawling mosque complex before later locating the two suspected gunmen dead inside a nearby vehicle in what authorities believe was a suicide. The investigation into the deadly shooting remains ongoing. https://www.wionews.com/videos/researchers-say-bees-may-have-earth-s-hidden-compass-1779125448216/embed Suspects appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds: Police chief Suspects in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego ‘appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds’, Scott Wahl said during a news briefing. The suspects were identified as two males. “There were no officers involved in firing their weapons. But that is still very preliminary at this point. But that’s what we believe,” Wahl added. ‘Probe will rely on extensive evidence’, says San Diego Police Chief Investigators at both local and federal levels are still working to determine what led up to the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, with officials saying the probe will rely on extensive evidence. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators expect a large volume of material to review as they piece together the sequence of events. “There’s going to be a tremendous amount of information and details that we’re going to try to sort and put this puzzle back together again,” Chief Scott Wahl said. He added that video footage from the Islamic Center’s security cameras will play a key role in the investigation. The FBI has already arrived at the scene and pledged full support and resources to assist local authorities in the ongoing inquiry. ‘Terrible situation’, says Trump President Donald Trump briefed reporters that he’s been given some early information on the San Diego mosque shooting and that his administration will continue to monitor the situation. “They’re giving a briefing on it, at the mosque … and it’s a terrible situation,” Trump said during a healthcare event at the White House. “I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.”

Police are investigating the deadly San Diego mosque shooting as a possible hate crime after at least three men died and two suspects were neutralised by cops

San Diego mosque shooting: At least 3 killed, two teen suspects found dead as police probe possible hate crime motive. Here's what we know so far

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San Diego mosque shooting: Suspect’s mother reveals her teen son was ‘suicidal’, stole firearms from home

San Diego mosque shooting: Everything we know about teen suspects

San Diego mosque shooting: 3 killed, 2 suspects dead as police probe hate crime