Terrified children seen fleeing San Diego Islamic Center after active shooter opened fire: Live updates
Updated:
A security guard was shot dead at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD) after two gunmen opened fire.
Children were seen being evacuated from the area after chaos erupted at the Clairemont mosque before noon on Monday.
Two shooters have since been shot dead by police, according to NBC.
ICSD is the largest Mosque in San Diego County and is home to the Al Rashid School, formerly known as the Islamic School of San Diego.
Police have described the scene as ‘still active but contained,’ and are establishing a reunification center for families.
Several people are believed to have been shot, Officer Anthony Carrasco told the Associated Press.
Follow along for the latest updates.
Terrified children seen fleeing San Diego Islamic Center
Horrified children were seen fleeing in terror after an active shooter opened fire at the San Diego Islamic Center.
The complex is home to the Al Rashid school where crowds of young students were seen being evacuated on Monday following reports of the shooting.
The chaos unfolded at around noon local time.
Police described the situation as ‘active but contained.’
It is unclear how many are injured but Officer Anthony Carrasco says police believe people have been shot.
The public is being urged to avoid the 7000 block of Eckstrom Avenue amid the ongoing investigation.
Cops probe shooting as hate crime
Authorities are considering the shooting at the Islamic Center a hate crime, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said at a news conference on Monday.
He said the department will work closely with the FBI ‘to make sure that we are matching all the resources that we need for this investigation.’
Shooters identified as teenagers
The two men who opened fire at the San Diego Islamic Center were teenagers, federal officials announced at a news conference on Monday.
Both were killed as authorities responded to the scene.
Kash Patel says all resources have been made available for local law enforcement
FBI Director Kash Patel said all resources have been made available for local law enforcement in response to the San Diego mosque shooting.
PICTURED: Distressed parents outside Islamic Center
Locals ‘concerned about the kids in the school,’ resident says
A man identified as Andre, who lives near the Islamic Center of San Diego, told KFMB he heard gunfire ring out from the mosque as he was eating lunch.
‘We were all concerned about the kids in the school, and apparently the kids are okay,’ he said.
Mosque member killed in shooting, CAIR says
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said that at least one member of the San Diego mosque was killed in Monday’s shooting.
‘We have learned from @CAIRSanDiego that at least one person was killed by a shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego today. May Allah grant him the highest rank of Paradise and protect everyone from harm,’ CAIR National wrote on X.
‘No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers.’
FBI assisting with mosque shooting investigation
The FBI is assisting local law enforcement after a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
‘FBI San Diego is aware of an active shooter incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego and is assisting our law enforcement partners and is assessing the situation,; FBI San Diego wrote on X.
‘As this is an active and fluid scene, we do not have any further comment at this time.’
No children hurt during shooting, Iman says
The Iman of the Islamic Center of San Diego confirmed that no children were injured during Monday’s shooting.
‘The entire school is safe. All the kids, all the staff and the teachers are safe out of the Islamic Center,’ Imam Taha Hassane said in a Facebook video update.
‘We have few casualties, not confirmed yet. There is no threat at this moment, but we want everyone to stay away from the Islamic Center of San Diego.’
Nearby mosque closes in wake of shooting
The Muslim Community Center of San Diego announced that it is shutting down for the day after the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
‘Due to the unfortunate shooting incident at Islamic Center of San Diego, we are closing all activities at MCC for today. For your safety, please do not visit MCC today,’ the mosque wrote on Facebook.
‘We will announce when the situation improves for mosque activities.
‘May Allah (SWT) protect our community, keep everyone safe, and grant ease to all during this situation.’
San Diego Mayor says there is ‘no ongoing threat’ to the community
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria praised law enforcement for their response to the shooting at a local mosque and confirmed there is ‘no ongoing threat’ to the community.
PICTURED: Police swarm Islamic Center of San Diego
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