Three people killed after shooting by two teenage suspects at California Islamic centre

Three people have been killed after two teenage suspects carried out a shooting at an Islamic centre in San Diego, California.

The suspects are both dead, and it is understood they took their own lives.

One of the victims was a security guard, according to police, and all three were adult males.

San Diego's police chief, Scott Wahl, said authorities are treating the shooting, which took place shortly before noon local time (8pm UK time), as a hate crime.

Mr Wahl added that the security guard likely prevented further loss of life. He said the suspects, aged 17 and 19, were discovered dead in a vehicle in the middle of the street.

"We do believe the security guard was able to help at least minimise the situation to the front area of the mosque," Mr Wahl said.

"At this point, I think it's fair to say his actions were heroic... undoubtedly, he saved lives today."

The Islamic Center of San Diego, around nine miles (14km) north of the downtown area, is the largest mosque in San Diego county, according to its website.

Aerial footage showed more than a dozen children holding hands and being walked out of the building's car park, surrounded by police vehicles.

The children, who were unharmed, were inside the mosque's school during the violence.

At a news conference, San Diego mayor Todd Gloria said that "no one in our city should live in fear because of their identity, their faith or their place of learning".

Mr Gloria insisted that any hate-inspired violence would be met with the "full force" of local law enforcement.

"Hate has no home in San Diego. Islamophobia has no home in San Diego. We will not stand for it," he added.

Read more:
Tuesday's newspaper front pages
Elon Musk loses lawsuit against OpenAI

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump described the scenes in San Diego as a "terrible situation".

Governor of California Gavin Newsom's office confirmed he was being briefed.

His office said on X: "We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities."

Police understand the suspects died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Additional shots were also fired at a landscaping firm a couple of blocks away, described as a separate shooting incident. Police have not confirmed if this was connected.

(c) Sky News 2026: Three people killed after shooting by two teenage suspects at California Islamic centre