The American police assured that they had “neutralized” a “threat” after two presumed shooters invaded an Islamic center in San Diego on Monday. Donald Trump lamented a “terrible situation”.
The San Diego police reported at least three deaths after two presumed shooters entered a mosque in this Southern California city on Monday, May 18. Among the three men who died, the security guard of the center was one of the victims, as reported by CNN.
“Two presumed suspects were also found dead in a car near the scene,” stated San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, as reported by the American media.
According to Scott Wahl, the two suspects found dead were ages 17 and 19. “At this point, it appears that the suspects died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds,” he continued at a press conference.
Armed men were deployed on the scene
The two presumed shooters attacked the Islamic Center in San Diego, a facility that houses the largest mosque in this Southern California region and also provides classes for children.
The police received calls reporting shots fired around midday and quickly deployed dozens of heavily armed men to the scene.
The first responders arrived “within four minutes” and found “three dead” in front of the center, according to San Diego Police Chief.
“Given the location of the Islamic center, we consider this a hate crime until proven otherwise,” affirmed Scott Wahl.
“All children, staff members, and teachers are safe outside the Islamic center,” stated a center official, Imam Taha Hassane, who described targeting a place of worship as “scandalous”.
“We have never experienced such a tragedy. At this moment, all I can say is that we are praying for you and we stand in solidarity with all the families of our community,” he added.
Donald Trump laments a “terrible situation”
From Washington, American President Donald Trump deplored a “terrible situation” following the shooting.
“I have received some initial information, but we will review the situation closely,” responded the American president to a question from the press at the White House.
The motivations of the presumed shooters are currently unknown. But according to the police, the case is currently being treated as an Islamophobic attack.
With more guns in circulation than inhabitants, the United States has the highest rate of gun deaths among all developed countries.
Shootings are a recurring scourge that successive governments have so far failed to contain, as many Americans remain staunchly attached to their firearms.
In 2025, nearly 15,000 people, not including suicides, were killed by firearms, according to Gun Violence Archive.
