A deadly shooting near the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday killed three people before police later found two teenage suspects dead inside a nearby vehicle with what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

According to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, officers rushed to the mosque shortly before noon after receiving reports about an active shooter. When police arrived, they discovered three victims lying outside the building.

Suspects Found Dead in Parked Vehicle

At nearly the same time, police also received reports of gunfire several blocks away. Authorities said the suspects allegedly fired shots at a landscaper in that area before leaving the scene.

Later, officers were called to a nearby neighbourhood after reports of a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of the street. Inside the car, police found two suspects — 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez — dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, Wahl said.

Authorities have not yet publicly released the identities of the victims or additional details about the suspects. One of the people killed was a security guard working at the Islamic centre. Police Chief Wahl said the guard played a “pivotal role” in stopping the attack from becoming “much worse”.

Investigators are now treating the incident as a hate crime.

Investigators Discover Possible Extremist Symbol

During the investigation, police found a gas container outside the suspects’ vehicle carrying an SS (Schutzstaffel) insignia, a symbol linked to Nazi Germany. The discovery has raised further concerns about the possible motive behind the shooting.

Authorities also revealed that one suspect’s mother contacted police earlier that day after reporting that her son had run away from home. She later discovered a note left behind by him, although officials have not disclosed what it contained.

Police said officers already believed “there was a bigger threat picture here that we needed to consider”.

Mosque Serves Large Muslim Community

The Islamic Center of San Diego describes itself as the largest mosque in San Diego County. According to its website, the centre aims to “serve the religious needs of the San Diego Muslim population and work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation".

The mosque complex also includes a school for children from pre-kindergarten through third grade. Authorities confirmed that no children were harmed during the attack.

Trump Reacts to Shooting

US President Donald Trump said he had received initial briefings about the shooting and called it a “terrible situation”.

“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,” Trump said.

Religious and Political Leaders Condemn Attack

Community leaders strongly condemned the violence targeting the mosque. “It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” Imam Taha Hassane said during a press conference. “People come to the Islamic Center to pray, to celebrate, to learn. Not only Muslims, but we have people from all walks of life.”

Gavin Newsom also criticised the attack in a social media statement. “Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives,” he wrote. “Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith," he added.

Meanwhile, Todd Gloria assured residents that authorities would increase protection for the city’s Muslim community and religious institutions.

“I want to assure our Muslim community that we will do everything it takes to make sure that you can feel safe in this city, and no resource will be spared. And making sure that our religious institutions and locations are protected in this sensitive time. But to reassert, as I always will: Hate has no place in the city of San Diego," he said.