Two teenagers killed three people during a Monday attack on a San Diego mosque. The gunfire erupted while worshippers were in the middle of prayer, leaving the local community in shock.
Investigators are now tracing the origin of the firearms used in the attack. They are looking into weapons registered to a parent.
Police are working to understand how the 17 and 18-year-olds accessed the guns. The violence has left a trail of questions regarding online radicalisation and the accessibility of heavy weaponry.
The shooting at the mosque left two dead
Two teenagers killed three people during an attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego[1]. The violence occurred on Monday, May 18, 2026[1].
Security guard Amin Abdullah was among the dead. He is credited with preventing more casualties during the shooting.
Investigators found the two 17 and 18 year old gunmen dead in a car near the scene. They died from what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Authorities are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime. One of the shooters left a note containing generalised hate rhetoric[2].
Police say the two teenagers met online where they were radicalized. The weapons used in the attack were registered to one of their parents.
Police are tracing the weapons used
Investigators are tracing the origin of the firearms used in the attack. The weapons were registered to one of the teenagers' parents.
Police are now working to understand how the 17 and 18-year-olds accessed the guns. They are examining the chain of custody for every piece of equipment used during the shooting.
Responding officers described the shooters as being "fully armored" during the attack. This equipment suggests a level of preparation that investigators are now scrutinising.
No word yet on how the teenagers moved the weapons to the mosque. The investigation remains focused on the logistics of the firearms.
A community in shock
Witnesses at the Islamic Center of San Diego described a scene of sudden, violent attack. The mosque was in the middle of prayer when the gunfire erupted. The sound of shots echoed through the building.
One local resident, who was present during the service, said the noise of the attack was unexpected and sudden.
Forensic teams arrived at the scene to collect evidence. The mosque remains a closed crime scene as investigators work through the residue of the attack.
Local religious leaders are calling for calm. They want to prevent further tension in the community. The investigation is ongoing.
What the evidence shows so far
San Diego authorities have not yet established a motive for the attack. Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the mosque and nearby streets to track the movements of the two teenagers.
Police are also examining digital footprints and social media activity. The two gunmen met online[3] where they were radicalised.
Evidence suggests the attack was planned.
Officers described the shooters as being fully armored[4] during the shooting. This level of equipment points toward specific tactical intent or premeditation.
One of the teenagers left behind a note. It contained generalised hate rhetoric[2], which has led police to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime.
The investigation continues
Local police are working alongside federal agents to piece together the timeline. The San Diego Police Department is coordinating with federal investigators to examine every lead. This joint effort aims to clarify how the two 17 and 18 year old shooters accessed the weapons.
No official motive has been released to the public. The community is still awaiting official confirmation regarding the reason behind the attack. Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the mosque and nearby streets to track any movement leading up to the violence.
Authorities are also looking into digital footprints. Police are examining social media activity and online communications to see if the radicalisation process continued after the pair met online. They want to understand if anyone else was involved in the planning.
A public briefing is expected within the next 48 hours. This meeting will likely provide more clarity on the chain of custody for the firearms. It will also address the impact of the note containing hate rhetoric found at the scene.
Senator Susan Rubio and Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel have already responded to the tragedy. They introduced a bill targeting criminal threats against schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The legislative move follows the immediate chaos at the Islamic Center.
A public briefing is expected within the next 48 hours. This meeting will likely provide more clarity on the chain of custody for the firearms and the contents of the note found at the scene.
