3 killed in shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego, police say; 2 suspects also dead

The security guard who was shot and killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego was a father of eight, a person who knew him told CBS Los Angeles, remembering him for his kindness.

"This guy, like, it didn't matter who walked up ... any random person could just walk up and, like, he would greet them, make sure they are OK. Whether they were homeless off the street looking for something, whether it was a child or elderly," said Sam Hamideh, a parent who knew the security guard through the mosque.

The security guard, who authorities have not identified, was among three men who were found dead outside the Islamic Center. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl credited him for helping contain the situation before police were called.

"I think it's fair to say his actions were heroic, and undoubtedly he saved lives today," Wahl said.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said more police officers will be guarding places of worship to assure residents' safety, "and making sure that we anticipate and try and prevent the very worst."

"We didn't meet that mark today, but I have deep gratitude to the security officer who was here, whose actions and heroism undoubtedly saved lives," Gloria said.

CBS Los Angeles reporter Michele Gile contributed to this report.

The Islamic Center of San Diego's imam and director called for religious tolerance, saying everyone is responsible for creating "a culture of love."

"What I can say at this moment is that my community is mourning," Imam Taha Hassane said during a news conference. "This is something that we have never expected to take place, but at the same time, the religious intolerance and the hate unfortunately that exist in our nation is unprecedented."

"All of us are responsible for whatever our position we have, as parents, as media people, as elected officials, as law enforcement, as religious leaders," Hassane said. "All of us, we can do something to protect our nation, to protect our society."

Hassane also urged the public to respect the privacy of the victims and their families.

Two hours before San Diego police received calls of shots fired at the Islamic Center, a mother reported her son was missing, along with multiple weapons and her vehicle, according to Chief Scott Wahl. 

A call initially came in as a runaway and then was elevated as the mother began to piece information together and shared it with police, Wahl told reporters Monday at a second news conference. 

The mother said she believed her son was suicidal and that he was with another person, the chief said. They were dressed in camouflage. 

"That is not consistent with what we would typically see with someone who is suicidal," Wahl said.

The reported missing vehicle was later believed to be near the Fashion Valley mall, located about 5 miles south of the Islamic Center. While police gathered information and dispatched officers to the mall, the police department received calls about the shooting at the house of worship, Wahl said.

Chief Wahl also confirmed that "hate rhetoric" was involved after saying earlier the shooting was being investigated as a hate crime. The chief said the mother had found "some note left by him," but said police wouldn't disclose further details at this time amid the investigation.

Two of the suspects were identified as a 17- and 18-year-old, one of whom was associated with nearby Madison High School, Wahl said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a new statement offering condolences to those impacted by Monday's deadly shooting.

"Jennifer and I are horrified by today's violent attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where families and children gather, and neighbors worship in peace and fellowship," Newsom said. "Today, this community space was shattered by gunfire."

"California sends our deepest condolences to the families and communities impacted by today's shooting. Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives. Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith."

The governor also thanked law enforcement officers and first responders.

"To the San Diego Muslim community: California stands with you," he added.

A Michigan synagogue that was the target of an attack earlier this year said Monday's deadly incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego is "all too familiar," and urged federal authorities to allocate funding for all houses of worship.

"We are devastated to hear that there was a fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. The campus houses not just a gathering center, but also a school," Temple Israel said in a statement on social media.

The West Bloomfield, Michigan, synagogue said its rabbi is currently in Washington to lobby for a $1 billion in funding to help protect houses of worship across the U.S.

"To anyone who feels this is excessive, what happened to Temple Israel two months ago, and now, the Islamic Center of San Diego, proves that it is not optional funding," the statement said. "Every dollar will be necessary to protect houses of worship all over the country."

On March 12, a gunman rammed a truck into Temple Israel in what the FBI said was a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community." A security guard was injured but no one was killed. The attacker died by suicide.

President Trump described the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a "terrible situation" and said that he's been briefed.

"I've been given some early updates," Mr. Trump told reporters Monday at the White House.

The president added that he'll be getting more information later today and "looking at it very strongly."

The imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego spoke to CBS News in 2023 in the wake of an unprecedented rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks across the U.S. following the war between Israel and Hamas.

"I've seen things this time that I've never seen before happening to my community members … even after 9/11,"
Imam Taha Hassane said at the time.

"At times like this, I see the pain in the faces of my community members. I feel that pain as well," he said. "I belong to a strong community. Resilient community."

The deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being investigated as a hate crime, police said.

"Because of the Islamic Center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it's not," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said. 

The FBI has not determined any motive as the investigation is ongoing, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the San Diego Field Office said.

Two suspected shooters involved in the attack were found dead inside a vehicle, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told reporters.

The FBI said both shooters were teenagers.

Moments after police responded to reports of gunfire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, officers were called to another nearby location and discovered a vehicle in the middle of the street. The two suspected shooters were found inside, both deceased, Wahl said.

Three people are confirmed dead following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, police said.

The victims were observed out in front as police arrived, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a news conference.

Police confirmed that a security guard was among those killed.

Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego said all children and staff who were at the mosque are safe.

"We are safe," the imam said in a video message posted to the center's social media. "The entire school is safe. All the kids are safe and the teachers are safe. We have few casualties, not confirmed yet, there is no threat at this moment."

Taha Hassane urged everyone to stay away from the mosque, saying it is closed for the remainder of the day.

There were two shooters at the Islamic Center of San Diego, one of whom is dead, two law enforcement sources tell CBS News.

"Reports indicate multiple injured people and Sharp Memorial Hospital is receiving patients," a spokesperson for Sharp Memorial Hospital said in a statement. "Our disaster procedures have been activated and we are coordinating with the County of San Diego and other resources to respond to the incident."

San Diego police the threat at the Islamic Center of San Diego "has been neutralized."

More details are expected to be provided by local authorities at a news conference near a park located adjacent to the mosque, according to police.

A witness who lives near the Islamic Center of San Diego said he called 911 after hearing about two dozen gunshots.

"It definitely sounded like gunshots, and we were concerned and putting our heads down inside the house," the witness said.

He described hearing at least a dozen gunshots before a pause, then about another dozen gunshots and another pause before more shots resumed.

San Diego police have not confirmed if shots were fired.

San Diego police say the scene at the Islamic Center is "active but contained." It wasn't immediately clear if shots were fired.

"We have significant resources on scene at this time," police said, adding that a reunification location has been established nearby at San Diego Clairemont Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest Mosque in San Diego County, according to its website.

San Diego police said officers are responding to a reported active shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

"Please avoid the area. Updates to follow," police said on social media.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office says the governor has been briefed "on an evolving situation in Clairemont community of San Diego, near the Islamic Center."

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local law enforcement, the office said on social media. 

"We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities," the post read.