A deadly shooting has occurred at an Islamic center in San Diego, California, USA. Three people, including a mosque security guard, were killed in the attack that took place on Monday afternoon local time.
Police later recovered the bodies of two teenagers involved in the attack from a nearby car. The total death toll in the incident has risen to five.
The Islamic Center in San Diego, near the Mexican border, also serves as an Islamic educational institution. The mosque targeted in the attack is part of the center and is one of the largest Muslim places of worship in the area.
Police said that regular classes and other activities were going on at the mosque and related educational institutions at the time of the attack. However, fortunately, no students were injured.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall said the motive behind the attack is not yet fully determined. However, initial investigations do not rule out a Muslim or hate-motivated attack. The matter is being investigated seriously and the FBI is assisting in the investigation.
Authorities confirmed that all three of the dead were associated with the Islamic Center. On the other hand, the bodies of the two teenage attackers were found in a car some distance from the mosque. Police said they were aged 17 and 19. It is initially believed that they committed suicide by shooting themselves after the attack.
The incident has caused deep concern and grief among the Muslim community. Such attacks ahead of Eid al-Adha have spread panic among local Muslims.
“The attack on a place of worship is extremely horrific and heartbreaking. Our community has never faced a situation like this before,” said Taha Hassan, imam of the Islamic Center.
Security has been beefed up in the area following the incident and law enforcement is investigating all possible angles.