Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD), a mosque and school complex in the United States, in an attack authorities are treating as a suspected hate crime.
Police say the two suspected gunmen are also dead after apparently dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the incident took place on Monday at the ICSD located in the Clairemont neighbourhood.
He confirmed that three adults were killed in the attack, while children present at the school inside the complex were not physically harmed.
Authorities said one of the victims was a security guard who played a critical role in limiting the scale of the attack.
Police said the suspected attackers were two males, believed to be aged 17 and 19.
Both suspects were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to officials.
A family member of one suspect had reportedly contacted police earlier in the day, saying the individual was suicidal and had gone missing along with weapons and a vehicle.
Investigation treated as possible hate crime
Chief Scott Wahl said investigators are treating the attack as a hate crime due to the location of the incident.
“Because of the Islamic centre location, we are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” he said during a press briefing.
Authorities are continuing to examine the motive behind the shooting.
Officials across the United States condemned the attack, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who said “hate has no place” in the city.
He assured the Muslim community that authorities would ensure safety at religious institutions.
Local leaders also expressed grief and solidarity with victims and worshippers affected by the incident.
The FBI confirmed that its local division is assisting in the investigation, while law enforcement agencies increased security measures around mosques in multiple cities as a precaution.
Police also established a reunification point for families and coordinated with nearby facilities to assist children safely.
