Police were actively searching for a 17-year-old suspect following a distress call from his mother approximately two hours before a lethal assault on the Islamic Center of San Diego. On Monday, May 18, 2026, at 9:42 a.m., the mother alerted authorities that her son had run away, was potentially suicidal, and had removed several firearms—including a 9mm handgun, a shotgun, and a Mini-14—along with her vehicle from their residence.
Core facts established by San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl:
Timing: The mother’s report preceded the 11:43 a.m. active shooter call by roughly two hours.
Casualties: Three adults were killed during the assault, including a security guard identified as Amin Abdullah. The two suspects, aged 17 and 18, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Intervention: The security guard is credited with preventing the attackers from reaching approximately 140 children sheltered in an on-site school.
| Event Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Mother's Alert | 9:42 a.m. |
| Attack Reported | 11:43 a.m. |
| Suspects Found | Deceased (self-inflicted) |
| Investigation Focus | Potential Hate Crime |
Investigative Context
The FBI reports that the two teenage suspects appear to have connected through online platforms before meeting in person. Authorities discovered evidence within the suspects' vehicle, including a weapon marked with "hate speech" and a gas canister bearing a Nazi symbol. The investigation into the ideological motivations of the suspects is ongoing, with federal and local agencies classifying the incident as a potential hate crime.
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The Islamic Center of San Diego, recognized as the city’s largest mosque, maintains an active school facility on its premises. Community leaders, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have addressed the violence, emphasizing the tragic loss of life and the security guard’s role in protecting those inside the center. Official agencies continue to process multiple crime scenes to reconcile the timeline between the initial missing person report and the final confrontation.
