Three people were killed in a shooting at a mosque in San Diego, California, on Tuesday in an incident police believe was carried out by two teenage suspects who were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Image: BBC
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers initially received a call at around 9:42am local time from the mother of one of the suspects, who reported her son as a runaway and expressed concern that he was suicidal.
According to police, the woman informed authorities that several weapons and a vehicle were missing from her home and said her son was accompanied by another teenager. Both were reportedly dressed in camouflage clothing.
The information prompted police to increase the threat level and begin searching for the pair.
Wahl said officers were speaking with the mother only a few blocks away from the Islamic Center of San Diego when reports of an active shooter emerged at approximately 11:43am local time.
Upon arrival, police discovered three victims dead at the scene, including a security guard at the mosque.
Authorities later located the two teenage suspects dead inside a nearby vehicle with what investigators described as self-inflicted injuries.
Police said the shooting is being investigated as a possible hate crime, adding that “hate rhetoric” appeared to be involved in the case.
Investigators also confirmed that the suspects’ mother had found a note containing what officials described as “general hate speech,” though no further details were released.
Authorities stated that no specific threat had previously been made against the Islamic center.
