Three killed in shooting at San Diego mosque, police investigate as hate crime

Three people were killed in an attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday when two teenage gunmen opened fire at the complex that houses both a mosque and an Islamic day school. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime after discovering extremist rhetoric and racist language in materials left behind by the suspects, aged 17 and 18.

Among the victims was a security guard at the center, whose quick response authorities say helped prevent an even deadlier outcome. The two attackers took their own lives several blocks away from the scene. The incident occurred late in the morning and forced dozens of children attending the Islamic day school to hide in classrooms and closets during the violence.

Particularly harrowing are the accounts from survivors. Nine-year-old Odai Shanah, whose mother emigrated from war-torn Gaza to Southern California two decades ago, described the traumatic experience in an interview. He heard a barrage of gunshots from outside the walls of the complex and was quickly ushered with his classmates into a closet where they huddled together, trembling in fear. "My legs were shaking, I felt like a rock," the boy recounted of his ordeal.

A crucial aspect of the case is the warning that came before the attack. The mother of one of the suspects had called 911 to warn authorities about her armed teenage son before the shooting took place. Police were already racing to catch the armed teenage runaway but were unable to prevent the attack. This warning raises questions about prevention possibilities and the challenges of handling such emergency situations.

Investigations revealed that one of the suspects had taken a firearm from their parents' home and left behind a suicide note containing racially charged language and expressions of extremist pride. These findings support police assessment that this was a hate crime. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that while no specific threats had been made against the Islamic Center of San Diego, authorities found evidence that the suspects engaged in generalized hate rhetoric.

The Islamic Center of San Diego serves as an important institution for the city's Muslim community. The complex functions not only as a place of worship but also houses a day school used by families from across the region. The fact that the attack occurred during school hours, when children were present in the building, amplifies the tragedy of the event and the trauma experienced by affected families.

The attack has sparked outrage within San Diego's Muslim community and beyond. Tearful scenes unfolded outside a center set up for family reunification following the shooting. Yellow police tape blocked access to the Islamic Center as investigations continued. The community once again faces the reality of hate crimes targeting religious minorities.

Political reactions to the incident remain limited as the events only recently unfolded. The attack occurred on a day when six US states were holding primary elections, which may have constrained immediate political attention to the incident. Nevertheless, the case is likely to reignite debates about hate crimes, gun violence, and the protection of religious institutions.

The role of the security guard appears to have been critical in limiting the scope of the tragedy. Authorities emphasized that his response helped prevent what could have been a much deadlier attack, though specific details about his actions have not been fully disclosed. This highlights both the vulnerability of religious institutions and the importance of security measures, while raising questions about what level of protection such community centers should require.

The incident has also drawn attention to the broader context of threats against Muslim communities in the United States. While this attack appears to have been carried out by local individuals rather than being part of a larger organized effort, it reflects ongoing concerns about hate crimes targeting religious minorities. The discovery of extremist materials suggests the attackers may have been influenced by broader ideological currents promoting anti-Muslim sentiment.

Investigations by San Diego police continue as the community attempts to cope with the trauma. Particular attention is being paid to affected children and their families, who will require psychological support. The case also raises questions about early detection of radicalization among youth and the effectiveness of warning systems, given that one perpetrator's mother had unsuccessfully attempted to alert authorities.

The timing of the mother's warning call and the subsequent events will likely be scrutinized as investigators piece together the timeline of the attack. Understanding how the situation escalated despite advance warning could provide valuable insights for preventing similar incidents in the future. The case underscores the complex challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with potential domestic terrorism threats involving minors.