SAN DIEGO – Three people, including a security guard, were killed Monday in a shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl commended the security guard, calling him a hero who “saved lives” during the attack.
Authorities later discovered the two teen suspects dead in a car near the Islamic Center of San Diego, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.
Officials said one suspect had taken three firearms from their home, with hate-filled messages found on one of the weapons. A suicide note expressing racial pride was also recovered.
One of the suspects has been identified as 17-year-old Cain Clark, a high school wrestler who had been attending classes online.
Residents of the Clairemont neighborhood gathered near the mosque to mourn the victims and offer support while investigators examined the scene.
Chief Wahl extended condolences to the Muslim community and confirmed that law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances and motives behind the deadly attack.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned that attack. “I am horrified by the deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, an apparent act of anti-Muslim violence,” he wrote on X.
Islamophobia endangers Muslim communities across this country. We must confront it directly and stand together against the politics of fear and division. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community grieving this devastating attack, he added.
“The NYPD is increasing deployments to mosques across the city out of an abundance of caution. There are currently no known threats to NYC houses of worship,” Mamdani concluded.
