Five people are dead after a shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in early hours of today in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime.
A heavy police and SWAT presence could be seen gathering outside the Islamic Centre in the 7000 block of Eckstrom Avenue.
Several San Diego fire rescue and medic crews also responded to the scene.
San Diego Police said the scene was contained and reported that there were significant resources on the scene.
In a Press conference, San Diego Police confirmed five men in total are dead.
Three people were found dead in front of the Islamic Centre, and police found two teenagers dead in a vehicle in the middle of the 3800 block of Hatton Street who are both believed to be suspects in the incident.
One of the victims was confirmed to be a security guard at the Islamic centre.
Investigators are working to gather more information on what led up to the shooting and the details and timeline of the incident.
San Diego Police said a landscape worker a few blocks away was also shot at, but was not hit by gunfire.
A spokesperson from the Islamic Centre of San Diego said students at the school and staff are safe and that there is no threat at this time.
However, the centre will remain closed to the public for the rest of the day.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted on X he was aware of the active shooter situation at the Islamic Centre of San Diego and that he was continuing to receive updates from law enforcement.
“Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to protect the community and secure the area.”
“Hate has no place in the City of San Diego,” Gloria said at a Press conference.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s Press office on social media said the governor had been briefed on the active shooter situation in San Diego and that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services was co-ordinating with local law enforcement.
The FBI said it was aware of the active shooter incident at the Islamic Centre and said they were assisting law enforcement partners and assessing the situation.
The Islamic Centre of San Diego is the largest mosque in San Diego County and is located in the Clairemont neighbourhood.
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