By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON - Five people, including two suspected shooters, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime, Anadolu Agency reported.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said three adult males, including a security guard at the Islamic center, were killed in the attack in the Clairemont neighborhood. The two alleged shooters were later found dead from what officials described as self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

“Because of the Islamic center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” Wahl told reporters at a news conference, adding that investigators are working closely with the FBI.

Authorities said the suspects were aged 17 and 18. Police revealed that one suspect’s mother had contacted officers earlier Monday to report her son missing and possibly suicidal after he allegedly took three weapons from her home along with a note containing disturbing material. CNN later reported that the note included writings about racial pride and hate speech.

Wahl said officers responding to the mosque also received reports of another nearby shooting in which a landscaper survived after a bullet struck his helmet, deflecting the impact.

The Islamic center, which also houses a school, confirmed that all children on site were safe.

US President Donald Trump described the attack as a “terrible situation” and said federal authorities were closely monitoring developments.

“They're giving a briefing on it ... and it's a terrible situation. I've been given some early updates, but we're going to be going back and looking at it very strongly,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the attack and denounced Islamophobia during a press conference.

“Hate has no home in San Diego. Islamophobia has no home in San Diego,” Gloria said. “An attack on any San Diegan is an attack on all San Diegans.”

Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic center, called the attack “extremely outrageous” and said the community had never experienced such a tragedy before.

“People come to the Islamic center to pray, to celebrate, to learn,” Hassane said. “The religious intolerance and the hate, unfortunately, that exists in our nation is unprecedented.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed condolences to the victims and said no one should fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at a school.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the incident, while local and federal law enforcement agencies continued investigating the motive behind the attack.