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Following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont that left five people dead, Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.
Wahl said police responded to a call from the center shortly after 11:40 a.m. and found three people dead, including the center's guard. They also found two teenagers, who they think were the shooters, dead in a car. Police believe they died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. They were 17 and 18 years old.
"This is every community's worst nightmare. ... Our hearts go out to the families that are in this moment being notified of what has happened to their loved ones," Wahl said during a mid-afternoon briefing," Wahl said.
The names of the victims and suspects were withheld pending completion of family notification.
Officials haven’t come out with a motive, but Wahl said that because the shooting took place at the Islamic Center, they are considering this a hate crime until they can show otherwise. The FBI says they are investigating the shooting too.
Wahl also said in 28 years, this is the most dynamic and impressive response he's seen in policing with help coming from agencies all over the county.
Imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego Taha Hassane said the center stands in solidarity "with all of the families in our community here and all the mosques and places of worship" in San Diego.
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"This is something that we never expected, and I would also like to thank all the people who contacted us from all over the country and overseas to offer their condolences."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria was also present at the news conference. He said his prayers are with the local Muslim community.
"We will do anything it takes to make sure you feel safe in this city," Gloria said.
In the late afternoon, police reported that one of the suspects had been reported as a runaway about two hours before the mosque shooting occurred.
"SDPD pieced together bits of information from the juvenile's mother," a department statement asserted. "She believed her son was suicidal and shared information that several of her weapons were missing, along with her vehicle.
"She also stated that he was with a companion, who was dressed in camouflage."
Via automated license-plate-reading camera technology, authorities learned that the woman's vehicle had been in Mission Valley, near Fashion Valley mall during the morning, but officers dispatched to that area did not locate the car or the suspects there.
In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam said:
“We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this attack. No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers."
As police responded to the emergency, northbound and southbound Interstate 805 at Balboa Avenue were shutdown, and nearby schools were in lockdown.
The Islamic Center is the largest mosque in San Diego County. The center holds five daily prayers. The center has established the Official ICSD Victim & Family Support Fund to support individuals and families impacted by shooting.
