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

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.

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.”