A gunman who opened fire at a mosque in San Diego was killed

In San Diego, California, a horrific tragedy struck the Muslim community, leaving many in deep sorrow, as reported by Zamin.uz.

The armed attack at the region’s largest mosque and Islamic center sent shockwaves through both the global Muslim community and local residents. Scott Wahl, head of the San Diego Police Department, stated that the violent incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime, with the FBI now involved in the investigation.

Fortunately, all students of the daytime religious school located on the mosque grounds were quickly evacuated to safety. However, a brave worshipper who sacrificed his life to prevent further bloodshed inside the mosque complex has become a true hero.

This courageous man, a father of eight, threw himself at the armed attackers, saving the lives of dozens of innocent worshippers. Police leadership praised his bravery, emphasizing that his actions likely saved many lives.

Tragically, the bodies of three Muslim men who had entered the mosque were found at the scene. According to a press briefing, two hours before the shooting, a woman had called police with a disturbing report.

She said her son was mentally unstable, had expressed suicidal intentions, and had left home with three firearms and a vehicle, heading in an unknown direction. She also mentioned that her son was wearing military-style clothing and had a shovel with him.

As police launched their search and began deploying protective patrols to nearby schools and shopping centers, gunfire was heard coming from inside the mosque. Witnesses reported hearing approximately thirty shots fired from a semi-automatic weapon.

Within about four minutes, nearly a hundred police officers arrived on the scene, and not a single shot was fired by law enforcement. During the attackers’ attempt to flee, they also fired at a street maintenance worker, but he survived because he was wearing a protective hard hat.

Not long after, police officers discovered the bodies of two teenage suspects inside a vehicle parked on a residential street. They are believed to have died by suicide.

A letter filled with hateful and derogatory language was found near the perpetrator, though it did not contain direct threats specifically targeting this mosque. This heinous act, occurring just one week before the blessed Eid al-Adha—a time Muslims eagerly await—has deeply wounded the hearts of the entire community.

Local officials and representatives of the Islamic center announced that additional safety measures are being considered to ensure community security. Investigations remain ongoing.