Three people were killed Monday afternoon in a shooting incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego in California. The two suspected gunmen were found dead inside a vehicle a short distance from the Islamic Center, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall said.

The FBI said both suspects were teenagers aged 17 and 19

Wall told reporters that investigators believe the suspects died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, and said neither officer used his weapon during the incident, though the investigation remains ongoing.

The mother of one teenager informed authorities that her son was suicidal, that several of her guns were missing, and that her son was with a “companion” dressed in camouflage uniform.

<p

Authorities said three adult victims were killed at the Islamic Center. Wall identified one of the victims as a security guard at the mosque, saying the guard “played a key role” in preventing the attack from escalating further.

“Until we know more, I don’t want to speculate, but at this stage I think it’s fair to say his actions were heroic and he undoubtedly saved lives today,” he said.

Police officials did not release the identities of the other victims or provide additional details about them during the briefing.

Wall also said it is possible that a worker at an exterior landscaping company may have been shot in the helmet.

“We received calls about a vehicle a few blocks away [from the San Diego Islamic Center] from which a landscaping worker was shot. The worker is okay, but we are continuing to investigate the scene. It appears he was shot in the helmet, which ‘deflected’ the bullet and saved his life, but that has not yet been fully confirmed,” Wall said.

Wall

Authorities, Wall added, are in the process of executing search warrants as they continue to review every piece of evidence and information to determine how the shooting incident at the San Diego Islamic Center unfolded and what could have been done to prevent it.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom on Monday condemned the shooting incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego, calling the attack “horrific” and expressing support for the local Muslim community.

“Jennifer and I are shocked by today’s violent attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where families and children gather and neighbors worship peacefully and with a sense of community,” the couple said in a joint statement. “Today, this community space was shattered by gunfire,” he added.

“California extends its deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by today’s shooting incident,” it stressed.

The Governor and First Companion also thanked first responders and stressed that places of worship should not be targets of violence.

“Worshippers, anywhere, should not fear for their lives. Hate has no place in California and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith,” it said.

Closing his statement, Gavin Newsom thanked “the brave police officers and first responders who acted immediately to protect children and people of faith” and sent a message to San Diego’s Muslim community saying “California stands with you.”

</html