Trump calls shooting at San Diego Islamic Center a ‘terrible situation’ after 3 killed
.@POTUS on the San Diego mosque shooting: "They're giving a briefing on it... It's a terrible situation. I've been given some early updates, but we're going to be going back and looking at it very strongly." pic.twitter.com/q2nccuzEUk
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 18, 2026
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: President Donald Trump called the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego a “terrible situation” on Monday, May 18 after three people were killed in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
Speaking to the media, Trump said he had received early updates about the shooting and promised officials would look into the attack “very strongly.”
"I've been given some early updates but we're going to be going back and looking at it very strongly," he said.
The shooting left three adult men dead, including a security guard at the mosque. Two teenage suspects were later found dead inside a vehicle from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police.
will
investigate the San Diego mosque attack ‘very strongly’ (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Governor Newsom condemns mosque attack
California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom condemned the shooting in a joint statement, calling it a violent attack on a place of worship.
“Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives,” the statement said. “Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”
The governor’s office said the California Highway Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services were coordinating with local and federal agencies to support the investigation.
🚨🇺🇸 New details on today's San Diego Islamic Center shooting from police on the ground:
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 18, 2026
-Officers arrived to find what appeared to be deceased victims in front of the mosque immediately upon arrival
-Almost simultaneously, calls came in from just a couple blocks away about… https://t.co/jP8rjpZ7ci pic.twitter.com/W4fqN95FDZ
Authorities said officers responded to reports of an active shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego at about 11.43 am and found three victims dead upon arrival.
Suspects identified
The two suspects were identified as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18. Investigators believe both died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators are treating the shooting as a possible hate crime after discovering what he described as “hate rhetoric” connected to the suspects.
“At this point, there was definitely hate rhetoric that was involved,” Wahl said during a press conference.
Two hours before San Diego police received reports of shots fired at the Islamic Center of San Diego, a mother called authorities to report her son missing along with multiple weapons and her vehicle. Police Chief Scott Wahl said the situation escalated as the mother uncovered… pic.twitter.com/kEGz56JRqe
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 19, 2026
According to investigators, officers first received a call at 9.42 am from the mother of one of the suspects, who reported her son missing along with firearms and her vehicle.
Police said officers also received reports of another shooting a few blocks away while responding to the mosque attack. A landscaper was reportedly shot at but was not injured.
“Officers were in the area still talking with mom, trying to piece together where they might be,” Wahl said. “Those officers, once they heard what was happening at the Islamic Center, immediately dispatched themselves to the mosque.”
The FBI, California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies are assisting in the ongoing investigation.
