A total of five bodies have been recovered following a shooting incident at the Islamic Center (mosque) in San Diego, California, USA. Among the deceased are two suspected gunmen—one aged 17 and the other 19.

Authorities stated that the bodies of the two suspected gunmen were discovered inside a vehicle parked near the scene of the incident. Both individuals died by suicide, having shot themselves. The shooting at the mosque is currently being investigated as a potential “hate crime.”

The shooting occurred yesterday, Monday (local time), just before the Zuhr (midday) prayers. The mosque is located in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego. It is the largest mosque in San Diego County. In addition to the mosque itself, the Islamic Center also houses an Islamic school for children.

Police received a report regarding the “disappearance” of one of the suspected gunmen at least two hours prior to the shooting. It was revealed that the 17-year-old suspect had gone missing from his home, taking at least three weapons with him. The teenager’s mother herself alerted the police to this fact.

A little over two hours after that report, the shooting at the San Diego mosque took place. What exactly transpired during the intervening period? Let’s look at what the authorities have revealed:

9:42 AM

The police received a phone call. The call was placed by a mother who reported that her son could not be found. She also noted that their car was missing, and several weapons kept in the home had disappeared. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl shared this information while speaking with journalists.

The Police Chief further added that, during the call, the woman mentioned that her son had suicidal tendencies. She stated that he was currently in the company of another individual, and that both of them were in disguise.
Police maintain a heightened state of alert following the shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California, USA—May 18, 2026.
Police maintain a heightened state of alert following the shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California, USA—May 18, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Up to 11:42 AM

Upon receiving the mother’s phone call, the police treated the matter with the utmost seriousness. Search operations were conducted on a “large scale,” taking potential risks into consideration.

License plate readers were utilized to locate the two individuals. Police were dispatched to the local Madison High School due to a potential connection with one of the suspects.

11:43 AM

Police received information that a gunman had entered the Islamic Center (mosque) in San Diego.

Police officers stationed closest to the area immediately headed toward the scene.

11:47 AM

Police arrived at the scene just four minutes after receiving the report. At that time, the bodies of three individuals were found lying outside the mosque; however, the whereabouts of the suspected gunman remained unknown.

Police initiated a search of the mosque and the adjacent school. Officers scoured every room in search of the gunman, even breaking down locked doors.

Approximately the Same Time

While the police search was underway, and at roughly the same time, shots were fired from a vehicle located several blocks away from the scene, targeting an individual performing duties along the roadside.

The Police Chief stated that the bullet struck the individual’s helmet, and he survived the attack.

Some Time Later

Police arrived at the location where the roadside worker had been shot shortly after the incident occurred. A vehicle was observed stationary at the site, with two suspected gunmen inside.

The Police Chief reported that the two individuals were found dead inside the vehicle. Police subsequently confirmed that both suspects had committed suicide by shooting themselves.

Scott Wahl stated that following the phone call received from the woman (the mother of the 17-year-old suspected gunman), investigators initially realized—based on the number of weapons taken from the home—that the teenager could pose a threat to others. This was because a suicidal individual would typically not take three weapons with them simultaneously.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into the incident. The FBI has appealed to the public for information and has provided a dedicated hotline for reporting details.