Two Teens Kill Three at San Diego Mosque Before Dying by Suicide

Two teenage gunmen opened fire Monday morning outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing three men before dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. m. local time, and officers arrived four minutes later to find the three victims dead outside the mosque.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said a mosque security guard engaged the suspects in a gun battle that prevented the attack from becoming more deadly. The center, located in the Clairemont neighborhood, is the largest mosque in San Diego County.

One victim was identified as Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the center and father of eight. The San Diego branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the other two victims were Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad. Officials have not confirmed the victims' identities.

The two suspects were identified by NBC News, citing law enforcement officials, as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18. Wahl said the suspects appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Monday morning, police received a call from the mother of one suspect reporting a runaway juvenile who she believed was suicidal. She said several weapons and her vehicle were missing, and that both teens were dressed in camouflage clothing. Wahl said the incident is being treated as a possible hate crime.

"There was definitely hate rhetoric involved," he said. " — San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, May 18, 2026 (Al-Monitor) The Islamic Center of San Diego said in a statement it was heartbroken by the incident and that the center will remain closed until further notice.

President Donald Trump called the shooting a terrible situation while speaking at a healthcare event in Washington on Monday. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had responded and all resources would be made available to assist local partners. U.S. following the outbreak of the Gaza war.