On Monday, May 18, 2026, a violent incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD) resulted in the deaths of three adult victims and two teenage suspects. Law enforcement officials are currently investigating the event as a potential hate crime.
The primary details are as follows:
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Total Deceased | 5 (3 victims, 2 suspects) |
| Suspect Ages | 17 and 18 |
| Weaponry/Tactics | Camouflaged clothing; self-inflicted wounds |
| Official Status | Investigated as hate crime |
The victims have been identified as a security guard, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad.
Police Chief Scott Wahl stated that the security officer's intervention may have prevented a higher death toll.
Reports indicate the suspects were discovered deceased in a vehicle a few blocks from the Clairemont neighborhood site shortly after the shooting began around 11:43 a.m.
A landscaper was also fired upon during the incident, though survived the encounter.
Pre-Incident Warnings
The investigation has revealed that the mother of one of the teenage suspects contacted authorities at 9:42 a.m. on the morning of the attack. She reported her son, the family vehicle, and missing weapons to police roughly two hours before the violence occurred at the mosque.
Institutional Context
The ICSD serves as the largest mosque in San Diego County. Beyond daily prayers, it houses the Al Rashid Weekend School, which facilitates religious and linguistic education. The community has established a memorial at the site to honor the victims.
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"These subjects did not discriminate on who they hated," said a spokesperson regarding the nature of the attack, while authorities maintain that the investigation into a specific motive remains ongoing.
This tragedy highlights a volatile intersection of domestic extremism and access to lethal force. While police state there is no immediate, broader threat to the Los Angeles area, the nature of the attack—targeting a house of worship—has drawn significant scrutiny from state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who was briefed on the unfolding situation while it remained contained.
Investigation continues as forensic evidence from the vehicle and digital traces of the suspects' activities are reviewed by local law enforcement.
