Suspects found dead after opening fire at San Diego Islamic center
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Police have identified two teenage shooters accused of opening fire at a complex housing a mosque and an Islamic school in San Diego, leaving three dead on Monday, May 18.
Officers responded to the Islamic Center of San Diego at around 11:43 am following reports of an active shooter. Upon arrival, the first responders found three adult men dead from gunshot wounds, according to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
Among those killed was a mosque security guard, who police believe “played a pivotal role” in keeping the attack from being “much worse.”
“All of our kids are safe. Our hearts go out to the families who, in this moment, are being notified of what has happened to their loved ones,” Wahl said.
Police found suspects dead with self-inflicted gunshot wounds
The officers were clearing the mosque when another 911 caller reported gunshots only a few blocks away. According to Wahl, a landscaper reported that shots were fired at him from a passing vehicle, though none of the bullets struck him.
As officers rushed to the location where the landscaper was shot, a white BMW was located stopped in the middle of the roadway, with two suspects dead from what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The suspects’ identities are being withheld because they are juveniles, despite police publicly identifying them.
A law enforcement source told The NY Post that anti-Islamic writings were found inside the BMW, along with a suicide note that included writing about racial pride.
Images from the scene where the suspects were discovered appeared to show one body lying beside the vehicle, with a shotgun visible nearby. Investigators also noted a gas can marked with an “SS” sticker positioned next to the car.
It appears the “SS” may have represented the Schutzstaffel, the paramilitary organization led by Heinrich Himmler under the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler, the NY Post reported.
One of the suspects’ mother contacted police
The shooting came after the mother of one of the suspects contacted the police around 9:40 am to report that her son was missing, along with multiple weapons and her vehicle.
“She was beginning to develop a bigger picture as to what she was dealing with and was conveying that to our folks, and we were trying to put that together and get out in front of this as quickly as we could,” Wahl said.
The mom also reported discovering a note while revealing that her son was with a companion and that they were dressed in camo.
Wahl did not disclose its contents but said of the case, “There was definitely hate rhetoric that was involved,” though there was no specific threat against the Islamic Center of San Diego.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria expressed grief over the shooting, writing, “Today, our city was shaken by a violent act at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and my heart is with every person touched by this tragedy. No one in our city should ever have to fear for their safety in a house of faith and a place of learning.”
“I am grateful to the San Diego Police Department, our Fire-rescue personnel, and every first responder who moved toward danger to bring this threat to an end,” he added.
