Wednesday, May 20Wednesday, May 20On May 18, 2026, two teenage gunmen—aged 17 and 18—carried out a mass shooting at the **Islamic Center of San Diego**, a mosque that also houses an Islamic day school. The attackers, wearing full body armor and armed with handguns and rifles, stormed the mosque during a time when children and worshippers were present. The firearms used were registered to one of the assailants' parents .
A security guard, Amin Abdullah, confronted the gunmen and was fatally shot after being struck multiple times. Despite his injuries, Abdullah managed to alert administrators to initiate a lockdown, preventing the attackers from reaching the larger areas of the mosque where approximately 140 children were sheltering. Authorities and mosque officials credited Abdullah with saving countless lives, as his actions delayed the gunmen and allowed time for evacuation . Tributes poured in for Abdullah, who was described as a "true American Muslim" and a hero by those who knew him .
Three other victims—identified as mosque attendees—were killed while attempting to draw the gunmen away from the children and worshippers inside. Police revealed that the victims acted selflessly to protect others, likely preventing further casualties . A nine-year-old boy, Odai Shanah, recounted hearing gunshots and huddling in a closet with other children during the attack, describing the scene as "a bunch of bad stuff" .
The two attackers were later found dead, with authorities stating they likely died by suicide after the rampage. Investigations into their motives revealed that the suspects had posted a video of the attack online, and there were indications of hateful rhetoric linked to their actions . German media also reported that the gunmen had shot and killed three people before apparently taking their own lives .
> Background: **Teen gunmen kill three in San Diego mosque hate crime attack.** — *12 hours ago*
More LFE coverage on this topic
Teenagers behind mass shooting in San Diego rushed at mosque fully armored The firearms the shooters, aged 17 and 18, used in the fatal rampage were registered to one of their parentsThe two teenage assailants responsible for a mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, rushed toward the mosque fully armored with handguns and rifles, authorities said.A security guard shot and struck one of the shooters, according to members of the mosque – but the attacker continued charging. The guard also alerted administrators of the school at the Islamic Center, telling them to go into lockdown, before he was shot and killed. If it was not for him … The carnage would be much worse, said imam Taha Hassane. He sacrificed his life. Continue reading...
theguardian · 1 day ago
San Diego Islamic Center shooting suspect apparently posted video of attack: Sources
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
Victims of San Diego Islamic Center shooting were trying to draw killers away from mosque when they were shot, police reveal The three victims died trying to keep adults and children inside the mosque safe, authorities said
independent · 1 day ago
What we know about the San Diego mosque attack suspects
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
Security guard slain at San Diego Islamic Center saved 140 kids from shooters, cops say Amin Abdullah stopped the teen gunmen from gaining access to the greater areas of the mosque
independent · 1 day ago
Boy, nine, recounts deadly shooting at San Diego mosque: We saw a bunch of bad stuff Odai Shanah details being among the children forced to huddle in classroom during attack at Islamic CenterA nine-year-old boy has described witnessing Mondays deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, saying that he saw bad stuff and huddled in closet during the attack.Odai Shanah, whose mother emigrated from Gaza and settled in southern California two decades ago, told Reuters that he heard a barrage of gunshots coming from outside the walls of the mosque complex, which also houses an Islamic day school. Continue reading...
theguardian · 1 day ago
Tributes pour in for hero guard killed in San Diego mosque shooting Amin Abdullah, the security guard killed while trying to stop gunmen entering the Islamic Centre of San Diego.
aljazeera · 1 day ago
I knew Amin Abdullah, the hero of the San Diego mosque shooting It doesnt surprise me at all that he gave his life saving the lives of others. He was a true American Muslim.
aljazeera · 1 day ago
Auch Angreifer tot: Tote bei Angriff auf Moschee in San Diego Bei einem Schusswaffenangriff auf eine Moschee in San Diego haben sich die beiden mutmaßlichen Täter laut Polizei offenbar selbst getötet. Zuvor sollen sie drei Männer erschossen haben.
faz · 1 day ago
Teen Gunmen Open Fire in San Diego Mosque, Killing 3
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
What we know about hateful rhetoric, suspects in San Diego shooting
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago