Suspect’s mother alerted police about missing guns before shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: The mother of one of the teenage suspects in the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego first alerted police to a possible threat after noticing her son, her vehicle, and multiple weapons were missing, authorities said on Monday, May 18.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers initially received a report about a “runaway juvenile” at about 9.42 am local time before the situation escalated into what investigators are treating as a possible hate crime.

Three adult men, including a security guard at the mosque, were killed in the shooting. Two teenage suspects, aged 17 and 19, were later found dead inside a vehicle from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police.

'Runaway juvenile' call

Scott Wahl said the teenager’s mother contacted police after piecing together concerning information over a period of time.

“She believed her son was su*****al and shared information that ‘several of her weapons were missing’,” Wahl said during a press briefing.

Police also learned the teenager had left with a companion, and both were dressed in camouflage clothing.

“That is not consistent with what we typically see of someone who is su****al,” Wahl said.

Authorities later discovered the teenager had taken three weapons from his mother’s home before investigators believe he attacked the mosque. “One person that’s su****al is not going to take three weapons from a location,” Wahl said. “That began to trigger a larger threat assessment picture.”

Mosque shooting suspect's note contained hate speech

Wahl said the suspect’s mother also found a note left behind, though investigators did not disclose its contents.

“There was no specific threat, especially no specific threat to the Islamic Center. It was just general hate kind of speech that I think covered a wide gamut,” Wahl said.

Police are investigating the mosque shooting as a hate crime “until it’s not,” the chief added.

Authorities said law enforcement officers reached the Islamic Center of San Diego within four minutes of receiving emergency calls. Officers found three victims dead inside the building, including a security guard whom Wahl credited with helping prevent the attack from becoming “much worse.”

At the same time, police received reports of another shooting a few blocks away, where a landscaper was shot at but not injured.

Investigation continues

Moments after the mosque shooting, officers located two teenage suspects dead inside a nearby vehicle, according to police. Investigators believe both died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

The Islamic Center had security cameras installed, and investigators are reviewing footage as part of the ongoing probe.

Federal authorities, including the FBI’s San Diego field office, are assisting local investigators. President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were also briefed on the shooting.

“What led to the deadly shooting at the largest mosque in San Diego is something investigators don’t have the answer to yet,” Wahl said.