A deadly attack on an Islamic centre near San Diego, California has left at least three people dead, including a mosque security guard who police say played a pivotal role in preventing further bloodshed. The centre, which serves as a place of worship with five daily prayers and includes a school on its campus, was targeted in what officials have described as an outrageous act.
Two teenage suspects were found dead in a vehicle near the scene, believed to have taken their own lives. Amateur video footage showed multiple police vehicles securing the school within the complex. President Donald Trump described the incident as horrific and called for an investigation into the motive behind the attack.
The attack has raised serious concerns across California, which has the second largest Muslim population of any US state. The Los Angeles Police Department has already increased patrols around mosques in the city as a precautionary measure, just two hours north of San Diego.
Community leaders expressed shock and outrage at the targeting of a place of worship. The Islamic centre had been a focal point for the local Muslim community, serving both as a mosque and an educational institution. The security guard who lost his life has been praised for his bravery in confronting the attackers and limiting the scale of the tragedy.
This article was prepared by AVALW News editorial based on monitoring Sky News live broadcast (detected at 02:20 UTC on 19 May 2026). The original segment can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDvsBbKfLPA&t=7232s