[SAN DIEGO (Clairemont) Mon May 18, 5:00 p.m.]
(edits: ages of shooter updated 5/19)
Five people are dead following a mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday morning, San Diego police confirmed.
The first 911 call came in at 11:43 a.m. reporting an active shooter at the mosque, 7050 Eckstrom Ave. SDPD officers arrived in under four minutes, Chief Scott Wahl said at an afternoon press conference at Lindberg Park.
Three people were killed inside the Islamic Center, including a security guard. Two male suspects, ages 17 and 18, also died. Wahl confirmed the death toll and breakdown. Based on the response timeline and field observations at the scene, it does not appear that SDPD discharged any weapons.
At 11:52 a.m., police received a second 911 call from the 7100 block of Salerno Street reporting the suspects had fired rounds at a gardener. Officers later located the suspects in a vehicle on the 3800 block of Hatton Street, where both were pronounced dead.
A witness near Salerno Street reported a white BMW SUV speeding past after shots were fired, with one window blown out. The vehicle stopped on Hatton Street for roughly 10 minutes before officers arrived, deployed gas into the vehicle, and attempted lifesaving measures. At the secondary scene, the BMW remained with its rear hatch open and at least one deceased person on the street.
A large multi-agency response converged on the area, including the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, CHP, FBI, ATF, and police from Chula Vista, La Mesa, and Harbor. SRT-trained officers using BearCat armored vehicles cleared the mosque. Family members and neighbors gathered at police perimeters; those seeking information about loved ones were required to show identification.
Mayor Todd Gloria and a representative from the Islamic Center joined Wahl at the press conference. The Sheriff’s Office said deputies are increasing patrols at houses of worship across the county.
The identities of the suspects have not been officially released. The investigation is ongoing.
