Three people are dead after two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, May 18, 2026. The attackers, identified as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, both from San Diego, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds and were found in a vehicle blocks from the scene. Authorities are investigating the attack as a hate crime.
All children at the center’s school were safely evacuated. No children were among the victims.
What Happened at the Islamic Center of San Diego?
At approximately 11:43 AM local time on Monday, San Diego police received reports of an active shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego, located in the Clairemont neighborhood roughly eight miles north of downtown San Diego.
Officers arrived to find three victims already dead outside the mosque. The three adult men killed were a security guard who worked at the center and two staff members of the Islamic school on the grounds. As officers were searching inside the center, dispatchers received reports that a landscaper working nearby had been shot at, blocks from the mosque. He was not seriously injured, with a witness reporting he may have been shot in the helmet, which deflected the bullet.
Within minutes, officers located two teenage suspects dead in a vehicle from suspected self-inflicted gunshot wounds. No officers fired shots. Bomb technicians cleared the vehicle before it was processed as evidence.
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San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed five people had died in total: three victims and two suspects.
Who Were the Suspects?
Two senior law enforcement officials and a federal law enforcement official identified the deceased male shooters as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, both from San Diego.
Clark was attending James Madison High School virtually and was on track to graduate this month, according to a San Diego Unified School District spokesperson. Investigators made a connection between one of the suspects and Madison High School, located approximately one mile from the Islamic Center of San Diego.
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The attack began earlier in the morning. Around 9:42 AM, police received a call from the mother of a runaway minor who said she believed her son was suicidal. She reported that her vehicle and weapons were missing and that her son was with a companion, both dressed in camouflage. Police began dispatching officers to locations they believed might be at risk. The shooting at the mosque occurred approximately two hours later.
Is It Being Investigated as a Hate Crime?
Yes. Authorities stated the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. The New York Times reported that two law enforcement officials said investigators discovered anti-Islamic writing in the BMW where the suspects were found dead. One of the firearms used also had “hate speech” written on it. A suicide note found with one of the suspects contained writings about racial pride. The FBI is assisting San Diego law enforcement in the investigation.
President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom were both briefed on the shooting. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and the head of the FBI’s San Diego field office were also briefed.
Were Children at the School Safe?
Yes. The imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego confirmed that all teachers, students, and school staff members present at the time of the shooting were safely evacuated. No children were among the victims.
A reunification location for those impacted by the incident was established at 4125 Hathaway Street. San Diego Unified School District confirmed all lockdowns at nearby campuses were lifted.
The Islamic Center of San Diego issued a statement saying it will remain closed until further notice and described the shooting as “an extremely painful and traumatic day” for its congregation, students, staff, and the wider community. The center urged the public to avoid speculation and allow authorities to complete their investigation.
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What Is the Islamic Center of San Diego?
The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest mosque in San Diego County. The center holds five daily prayers and houses an Islamic school on its grounds.
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the center, called the attack “outrageous,” saying it is “extremely outrageous to target a place of worship” and that the mosque is a place where people come “to pray, celebrate and learn.”
The center has established the Official ICSD Victim and Family Support Fund to support individuals and families impacted by the shooting.
What Is the Response from Authorities and Officials?
The response extended well beyond San Diego.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced it would provide increased patrols to mosques, Islamic centers, and other houses of worship across the city. The New York Police Department also announced the deployment of more officers to mosques across New York City.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she is “outraged and heartbroken” by the attack, adding: “Houses of worship must be true sanctuaries where hate and violence have no place.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam said: “We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego. No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Sibel Newsom issued a statement saying they are “horrified” by the shooting.
Where to Find Support and Updates
The Islamic Center of San Diego has set up the Official ICSD Victim and Family Support Fund for those wishing to support the victims and their families. Updates from the center are being shared through its official channels.
Anyone with additional information about the attack is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department or submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.
For the latest updates as the investigation develops, NBC San Diego, KPBS, and the San Diego Police Department are the most reliable local sources.
Key Takeaways
- Three adults were killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026: a security guard and two school staff members. All children at the school were safely evacuated.
- The two suspects, identified as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds and were found in a vehicle near the scene.
- The attack is being investigated as a hate crime. Anti-Islamic writing was found in the suspects’ vehicle and on one of the firearms. A suicide note contained writings about racial pride.
- The FBI is assisting in the investigation. President Trump, Governor Newsom, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria were all briefed.
- Police had been alerted by one of the suspect’s mothers hours before the shooting, after she reported her vehicle and weapons were missing and believed her son was suicidal.
- Mosques across Los Angeles and New York City are receiving increased police patrols following the attack.
