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In an unsettling turn of events at the San Diego Islamic Center on Monday morning, a harrowing active shooter incident unfolded with schoolchildren present at the scene. This revelation comes from religious leaders who have been providing updates on the situation.
Tragically, the incident resulted in the deaths of two suspected shooters and a mosque member, as confirmed by the center’s leadership. Additionally, several individuals have been hospitalized following the attack.
Imam Taha Hassane, a prominent figure at the center, reassured the community in a video shared with the California Post and circulated widely within California’s Muslim community. “We are safe, the entire school is safe. All the kids, all the staff, and the teachers are safe and out of the Islamic Center,” he affirmed, emphasizing the safety of everyone involved.
He further urged the public to maintain a safe distance from the Islamic Center, stating, “There is no threat at this moment, but we want everyone to stay away from the Islamic Center setting.” The video message aimed to calm fears and prevent any unnecessary gatherings at the site.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has confirmed the loss of one of the mosque’s members in this senseless act of violence. As the community comes to terms with the tragedy, support and solidarity are being sought from across the nation.
“We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this attack,” CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam said.
“No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers.”
CAIR and local community leaders also confirmed that at least one member of the mosque was killed.
School children attending classes were inside during the attack.
Two shooters have been shot dead after an active shooter situation at a San Diego mosque drew a massive police presence, three police sources told NBC on Monday. The threat has since been “neutralized,” according to the San Diego Police Department.
Helicopter footage shows one person in a tactical vest who appears to have been shot dead outside the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Several people are believed to have been shot, Officer Anthony Carrasco told the Associated Press. Hundreds of police officers and scores of emergency vehicles lined up outside the center only minutes after the call came in reporting an active shooter.
“We are closed for the rest of the day. Stay safe, stay at home, and make a lot of prayers,” Hussane added.
“We have a few casualties, including one member of the mosque,” according to the video, although authorities have yet to confirm that information.
There are three schools within close proximity to the mosque: the Islamic School of San Diego, Clairemont Canyons Academy, and Kavod Charter School. A Seventh-day Adventist church and California Children Services are also nearby. The center’s campus includes the Al Rashid School.
An elementary school next to the Islamic Center was also evacuated by police, as were adults still inside the center.
The children were inside the school during the attack.
Police were seen frantically searching the neighborhood and going door to door looking for the shooter, according to KGTV San Diego.
The motives behind the attack are still unknown.