Authorities have identified one of the victims killed in Monday’s mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the mosque, as investigators continue treating the deadly attack as a possible hate crime.
According to the San Diego Police Department, the shooting occurred around noon on May 18 at the Islamic Center campus located on Eckstrom Avenue near Balboa Avenue and Interstate 805 in San Diego.
Police said two armed suspects entered the area and opened fire, killing three adult men before later dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds several blocks away.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers first received reports of an active shooter at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Investigators believe the suspects were 17 and 19 years old, though their identities have not yet been publicly released.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation is being handled as a potential hate crime, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting local investigators.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily said federal authorities are “meticulously assessing the situation” and pledged that investigators “will work tirelessly until we learn the truth.”
Officials also confirmed that no children were injured during the attack. The Islamic Center of San Diego later stated that all students and teachers on campus were safely evacuated following the shooting.
“This is every community’s worst nightmare,” Chief Wahl said during a press briefing. “There is no further threat. Both suspects in this case are deceased. All of the kids are safe.”
Todd Gloria also addressed the tragedy, expressing solidarity with San Diego’s Muslim community and promising additional protections for religious institutions.
“No resource will be spared in making sure that our religious institutions are protected,” Gloria stated.
Authorities established a reunification center on Hathaway Street where worried families gathered to reconnect with children evacuated from the mosque campus.
Multiple roads surrounding the Islamic Center remained closed for several hours while investigators processed the crime scene. Officials also temporarily shut down Interstate 805 offramps near Balboa Avenue during the investigation.
The identities of the remaining victims have not yet been publicly released as authorities continue notifying relatives.
The investigation into the deadly San Diego mosque shooting remains ongoing.