San Diego city police in California received a report of a shooting at the San Diego Islamic Center on 18/5. Officers arrived at the scene within 4 minutes, hearing multiple gunshots.

The attack resulted in three fatalities inside the mosque, including a security guard. This guard is credited with playing a key role in preventing further casualties, an act police described as "heroic." The specifics of the guard's intervention have not been disclosed.

Police later discovered the two suspects had fled the scene in a car, driving to a road adjacent to the mosque. As officers approached, the suspects appeared to have died by suicide inside their vehicle.

The suspects' vehicle from the San Diego mosque shooting on 18/5. *AP*

The incident is being investigated as a hate crime. Earlier on the same day, the mother of one of the suspects contacted police, reporting that her son had stolen three guns from their home. He also left a hate-filled letter expressing "racial pride." The identities of the suspects have not been released.

The San Diego Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego County, houses the Al Rashid school. This school provides instruction in Arabic, Islamic studies, and the Quran to students over 5 years old. All students at the school remained safe during the shooting.

Police on the dome of the San Diego Islamic Center in California on 18/5. *AP*

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the US, condemned the shooting. Tazheen Nizam, leader of CAIR San Diego, stated, "No one deserves to fear for their safety when going to pray or attend an elementary school."

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his horror at the attack. He affirmed, "Hate has no place in California. We will not tolerate acts of terror that threaten faith communities."