Updated 6:00 AM EDT, Tue May 19, 2026 Three people were killed during a tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday morning, while two suspected shooters were later found dead nearby, according to local authorities.
The incident happened around 11:40 a.m. at the Islamic Center located in San Diego’s Clairemont neighborhood. Police officers quickly surrounded and cleared the complex, which also includes a school campus.
Officials confirmed during a press conference that three adult men lost their lives in the attack. One of the victims was reportedly working as a security guard at the center.
Authorities said the two suspected shooters, aged 17 and 18, were discovered dead inside a vehicle several blocks away from the scene. Investigators believe at least one of the suspects died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Before they were found, the suspects allegedly fired shots at a landscaper in the area, although no injuries were reported in that incident.
The identities of both the victims and suspects have not yet been released.
Leaders at the Islamic Center said all students and staff members were safely evacuated. The center remained closed for the rest of the day following the shooting.
Several nearby schools within the San Diego Unified School District were temporarily placed under lockdown as a precaution. Officials later lifted those restrictions once the area was secured.
San Diego police stated they are currently investigating the case as a possible hate crime until further evidence rules that out.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is one of the county’s largest Muslim community centers. Its Clairemont campus serves as the primary location, housing the Al Rashid School and hosting daily prayers, educational programs, and community events for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
The FBI confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting. Federal authorities also asked anyone with information to contact the FBI tip line.
Road closures remained in place for several hours around the area, including ramps connected to Balboa Avenue and Interstate 805, as investigators continued processing the scene.
A reunification center for students and parents was established at the San Diego Clairemont Seventh-day Adventist Church on Hathaway Street.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said state emergency officials were coordinating with local law enforcement agencies in response to the shooting.
“Hate has no place in the City of San Diego,” Mayor Todd Gloria said during a press conference Monday afternoon.
