A gunman opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday afternoon, triggering a massive law enforcement response that shut down Interstate 805 and sent SWAT teams racing to the Clairemont neighborhood.
San Diego Police Department officials said they began receiving reports of the incident at approximately 11:40 a.m. at the mosque located at 7050 Eckstrom Avenue near Balboa Avenue. Authorities shut down northbound and southbound Interstate 805 at Balboa Avenue as a result of the law enforcement activity.
Groups of people were seen being evacuated from the mosque as police and emergency personnel descended on the scene. A SWAT team was reported en route and a San Diego police helicopter was observed circling above the area.
San Diego Police said in a statement: “SDPD is on scene at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the 7000 block of Eckstrom Ave for a reported active shooter. Please avoid the area. Updates to follow.”
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San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria confirmed he was monitoring the situation: “I am aware of the active shooter situation at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont and am continuing to receive updates from law enforcement. Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to protect the community and secure the area.”
I am aware of the active shooter situation at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont and am continuing to receive updates from law enforcement. Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to protect the community and secure the area.
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) May 18, 2026
Just after 1 p.m., the situation reached a grim resolution. San Diego Police confirmed that “the threat at the Islamic Center has been neutralized.”
As many as five people were killed, including a security guard and the two suspected perpetrators, with several others injured. The two male suspects were found dead in a car near the mosque from what investigators believe were self-inflicted gunshot wounds. A witness reported a semi-automatic firearm was used during the attack.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is one of the oldest and largest mosques in Southern California, serving thousands of worshippers across the region.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Featured image via X screengrab
