TWO TEEN GUNMEN KILL THREE IN SAN DIEGO MOSQUE ATTACK BEFORE TAKING THEIR OWN LIVES, POLICE INVESTIGATE HATE MOTIVE. (PHOTO).

 Two teen gunmen kill three in San Diego mosque attack before taking their own lives, police investigate hate motive

 Two teenage gunmen opened fire at a mosque in San Diego on Monday, killing three men before taking their own lives a short distance away in what authorities are investigating as a hate-motivated attack.

Police said there had been no specific threat directed at the Islamic Center of San Diego prior to the shooting, but investigators later uncovered evidence suggesting the suspects had engaged in generalized hate rhetoric. Authorities indicated that more details about what led up to the attack are expected to emerge as the investigation continues.

Officers had already been searching for one of the suspects before the shooting occurred, after his mother contacted police to report that her son was suicidal and had run away. She also told authorities that weapons were missing from the home and that her vehicle had been taken. The situation grew more urgent when police learned the teen was dressed in camouflage and accompanied by another individual, circumstances that raised additional concern.

Law enforcement used a range of tools, including license plate readers, to track the suspects’ movements. Officers were dispatched to multiple locations, including a mall and a school connected to one of the teens, as they worked to locate them. While speaking further with the suspect’s mother about possible whereabouts, police received reports of gunfire at the mosque.

Among those killed was a security guard who officials say played a critical role in limiting the scale of the attack. Police described his actions as heroic, saying his intervention likely prevented additional casualties. A family acquaintance identified him as Amin Abdullah, a longtime presence at the mosque who had served in a security role for more than a decade.

Authorities said officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the initial call. As they responded, additional gunshots were reported a few blocks away, where a landscaper was targeted but not injured. The suspects were later found dead inside a vehicle stopped in the roadway nearby.

Witness footage from the scene showed children being escorted out of the mosque in an orderly manner as police vehicles surrounded the area. The mosque, located in a neighborhood with homes, apartments, and local businesses, also houses a school offering religious and language education to young students. Parents were directed to a nearby location to reunite with their children.

Community leaders condemned the violence, calling it an attack on a place of worship and stressing the importance of protecting religious institutions. The mosque has long emphasized interfaith outreach and community engagement, including hosting visitors from different backgrounds to learn about Islam.

Advocacy groups also denounced the shooting, highlighting concerns about safety and urging support for the affected community. President Donald Trump described the incident as a “terrible situation” as officials continue to investigate the motive and circumstances behind the attack.