US: Two Teenagers Open Fire at San Diego Mosque, 3 Dead

Tragedy struck the San Diego Islamic Center on Saturday, May 18th, when a shooting incident claimed the lives of three men. Authorities reported that two teenage suspects, aged 17 and 19, were found deceased in a vehicle nearby, with preliminary indications pointing towards self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The violence erupted just before noon local time, casting a dark shadow over the community as it prepared for the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebrations.

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We have never experienced such a tragedy. Targeting a place of worship is an act of extreme cruelty.

The San Diego Islamic Center, the largest mosque in the region near the Mexican border, was the scene of this horrific event. Fortunately, students attending the school within the mosque's grounds were unharmed. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been called in to assist local law enforcement in their investigation. While the motive remains unclear, officials are exploring the possibility of a hate crime, though the investigation is ongoing.

This attack is particularly poignant as it occurred on the eve of Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's most significant holidays, and during the Hajj pilgrimage season. Imam Taha Hassane, the leader of the San Diego Islamic Center, expressed the community's profound shock and sorrow, stating, "We have never experienced such a tragedy. Targeting a place of worship is an act of extreme cruelty."

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The shooting occurred just before 12 p.m. local time.

Among the victims was a security guard, who is believed to have sacrificed himself in an effort to prevent further casualties. The swift response of law enforcement, with 50 to 100 officers arriving within four minutes, highlights the seriousness of the situation. Coincidentally, another shooting occurred blocks away targeting a gardener, though this individual was unharmed, and the connection, if any, between the two incidents is yet to be determined. The incident adds to the growing unease within Muslim and Jewish communities in the U.S. amidst escalating regional conflicts.

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About 50 to 100 police officers from across the San Diego area were present at the scene within 4 minutes of receiving the report of an active shooter.