Authorities confirmed three people were killed after two teenage suspects allegedly opened fire at an Islamic centre in what police now believe may have been a hate-motivated attack.
The terrifying incident unfolded on Monday after officers were already searching for a missing teenager whose mother had reportedly warned police he was suicidal and potentially armed.
Speaking during a live media briefing, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the tragedy as “a community’s absolute worst nightmare” and revealed the alarming chain of events that unfolded before the shooting.
According to police, concerns escalated rapidly after the teen’s mother informed authorities that several weapons were missing from the home, along with her vehicle. She also reportedly said her son was travelling with another teenager and that both were dressed in camouflage clothing — details police said immediately heightened the perceived threat level.
As officers attempted to track the pair down, they located the vehicle and deployed resources across several locations, including Fashion Valley mall and Madison High School after discovering one suspect reportedly had connections to the school.
But while police were still gathering information, emergency calls suddenly came in reporting an active shooter situation at the mosque.
When officers arrived at the Islamic centre, they discovered three victims dead at the scene, including a security guard. Fearing additional attackers may still have been inside the crowded facility, officers launched an immediate active shooter response and searched the building.
During the ongoing emergency, police then received reports of another shooting just blocks away involving a landscaper who was allegedly targeted from a vehicle believed to be connected to the suspects. Authorities said the man is expected to survive and may have been saved by a helmet that possibly deflected a bullet.
Shortly afterwards, officers located the teenage suspects inside a nearby vehicle suffering from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say investigations are continuing as detectives work to establish exactly how the attack unfolded and whether further warning signs may have been missed beforehand.
Chief Wahl told reporters authorities are now fully focused on understanding “how this happened and what we could have done to prevent it.
