• Three individuals were killed during a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
• The shooters, two teenagers, later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
• The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime, with anti-Islamic writings found.
• The shooting occurred just days before the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
• Authorities stated that the Islamic Center is a prominent religious venue in the area.

On Monday morning, a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego resulted in the deaths of three men, one of whom was a security guard, before the two teenage assailants took their own lives. This tragic event unfolded shortly before noon local time when the police were already on a different call concerning one of the suspects who had been reported as possibly suicidal, according to channelnewsasia, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

Authorities are treating the shooting as a hate crime. Investigators discovered writings promoting hate speech and anti-Islam sentiments associated with one of the suspects, who also left a note indicating generalized hate rhetoric. The Islamic Center is noted to be the largest mosque in San Diego County and had children present at the time of the attack, prompting law enforcement to record the incident as particularly heinous, according to channelnewsasia, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

Police Chief Scott Wahl reported that the body of the security guard likely prevented additional casualties. He noted that when they arrived shortly after the shooting began, they found three victims immediately outside the mosque. Afterward, law enforcement located the two shooters deceased in a vehicle nearby, both aged 17 and 18, having succumbed to self-inflicted wounds. There was no indication that authorities discharged their weapons during the incident, according to channelnewsasia, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

The incident has elicited strong reactions from local and national figures. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his horror at the attack, emphasizing that such acts of terror against communities of faith will not be tolerated. Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center condemned the shooting, highlighting the sacred nature of religious spaces. This attack coincides with the upcoming celebration of Eid al-Adha, further intensifying emotions within the community, according to channelnewsasia, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.