San Diego Mayor Condemns Islamophobia After Mosque Shooting Kills Three

San Diego, MINA – The mayor of San Diego sharply rebuked Islamophobia Monday after teenage gunmen opened fire at a local mosque, killing three people in what authorities have said is being investigated as a hate crime, according to Anadolu Agency.

“Hate has no home in San Diego. Islamophobia has no home in San Diego. An attack on any San Diegan is an attack on all San Diegans, and we will not stand for it,” Todd Gloria told reporters at a press conference hours after the fatal shooting.

Three people, including a security guard, were fatally shot at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.

Police Chief Scott Wahl said that as officers were responding to the scene, police received calls of another shooting nearby and found a landscaper who may have been shot in a helmet he was wearing “that deflected and saved his life.”

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Law enforcement officials said the suspects, aged 17 and 18, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. One of the suspects’ mothers had called police Monday morning to report her child as a runaway whom she believed to be suicidal. She also said her son took three weapons from her and left a note.

CNN reported that the note contained “writings about racial pride” and that “hate speech” was written on one of the weapons used.

Imam Taha Hassane, who leads the Islamic Center of San Diego, described the religious intolerance and hate in the nation as “unprecedented.” He called on everyone to spread a culture of tolerance and love.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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