By ABC 10News Digital Team
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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Three victims were killed, and two suspects are dead after a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, San Diego Police confirmed in a news conference.
The San Diego Police Department said all three of the victims were adult men. One of the men was a security guard.
The two suspects were identified only as two teenagers. Police said the two suspects appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Police said they were initially called at 9:42 a.m. by a mother of one of the suspects. The woman told police she believed her son was suicidal and that several of her weapons, along with her car and son were missing.
The woman told police her son was with a companion and that they were dressed in camo. As police investigated leads, including responding to Madison High School, where one of the suspects had ties, they received the call about the active shooting at the Islamic Center.
San Diego Police Department officials said they began receiving reports of the incident at around 11:40 a.m. at the mosque at 7050 Eckstrom Avenue, near Balboa Avenue. San Diego Police said they responded to the scene in four minutes.
After arriving on the scene, police said they immediately saw what appeared to be deceased people out front.
Around the same time, police began to receive calls from several blocks away of more active gunfire. Authorities said at that scene, a landscaper was shot at, and may have been struck in a helmet he was wearing.
In an update on Twitter/X at 1:06 p.m., police said, “The threat at the Islamic center has been neutralized.”
A reunification point was established at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 4125 Hathaway Street, according to police.
As of 10 p.m. Monday, all on and off-ramps of Balboa Avenue from northbound and southbound Interstate 805 will remain closed until the morning hours.
Police also said that the area is now contained to Eckstrom Ave, Cosmo St, Balboa Ave, and Hathaway St. Please continue to avoid the area while investigators work. — San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) May 18, 2026
Sharp HealthCare said its disaster procedures have been activated. According to a spokesperson, one person who sustained a non-firearm-related injury while responding to the incident was taken to Sharp Memorial. “We do not expect additional patients from this incident at this time,” the spokesperson said.
The Islamic Center of San Diego will be closed until further notice.
In a statement on their website, the Islamic Center of San Diego wished healing and strength to those affected by the tragedy:
“Places of worship are meant to be spaces of peace, prayer, reflection, and community. Violence and hatred have no place in our society.
May Allah grant healing to the injured, mercy to those who lost their lives, and strength to everyone impacted by this tragedy.”
Gov. Newsom’s office said he “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. We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities.”
Mayor Todd Gloria also issued the following statement:
Today, our city was shaken by a violent act of hate at the Islamic Center of San Diego and my heart is with every person touched by this tragedy. No one in our city should ever have to fear for their safety in a house of faith and a place of learning.
I am grateful to the San Diego Police Department, our Fire-Rescue personnel, and every first responder who moved toward danger to bring this threat to an end.
I know this tragedy is particularly hurtful for the Muslim community as it comes at the start of Dhul-Hijjah, one of Islam’s holiest periods leading into Hajj and Eid al-Adha — a time of deep faith, reflection, and unity. Hate has no home in San Diego, and an attack on any one of our communities — on any San Diegan because of who they are, what they believe, or how they pray — is an attack on all of us.
And let there be no misunderstanding for anyone who would seek to bring this kind of violence to our city: They will be met with the full force of the law and the full strength of a city that refuses to be turned against itself. Anyone who seeks to do harm here should understand the response will be swift and you will be brought to justice.
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