Deadly mosque attack in San Diego triggered strong outrage
CAIR condemns possible anti-Muslim terror attack after shooting at Islamic Center leaves worshippers dead and sparks national outrage
SAN DIEGO, United States (MNTV) — A deadly shooting attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego has triggered outrage across the United States after gunmen opened fire at the mosque complex, killing worshippers and prompting investigations into what Muslim groups and officials say appears to be a targeted anti-Muslim attack.
US President Donald Trump commented briefly on the attack while speaking to reporters but faced criticism for failing to directly condemn anti-Muslim violence or acknowledge the possibility of domestic anti-Muslim terrorism.
“At the mosque, they’re giving a briefing. 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 said.
Observers said the remarks lacked the urgency and moral clarity expected following a deadly attack targeting a Muslim place of worship, especially as authorities investigate possible ideological motives behind the shooting.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its San Diego chapter condemned the assault on Monday, confirming that at least one mosque member was killed while schoolchildren attending classes inside the mosque complex were present during the attack.
Authorities later said five people died in total, including three victims and two suspected teenage gunmen who were found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
CAIR-San Diego representatives arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and began coordinating with local community leaders and law enforcement officials.
“We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego,” CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this attack. No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers,” she added.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is one of the largest mosques in Southern California and serves thousands of worshippers and students.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said local police and the FBI are investigating the shooting as a hate crime, while Muslim organizations and civil rights advocates warned that the scale and nature of the violence could amount to an act of anti-Muslim terrorism.
CAIR noted that complaints of anti-Muslim discrimination and hate incidents have continued rising nationwide, according to its latest civil rights report, reflecting what the organization described as a worsening climate of Islamophobia in the United States.
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group urged victims of bias incidents to report them both to law enforcement agencies and to CAIR.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “an apparent act of anti-Muslim violence.”
“Islamophobia endangers Muslim communities across this country. We must confront it directly and stand together against the politics of fear and division,” Mamdani wrote on X.
He also announced increased police deployments around mosques across New York City as a precaution following the attack.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said California “will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”
“Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives. Hate has no place in California,” Newsom said, adding: “To the San Diego Muslim community: California stands with you.”
The shooting also sparked dramatic scenes during a press conference held by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria hours after the attack.
Before Gloria delivered remarks, a woman interrupted the briefing and accused him of enabling anti-Muslim hostility through support for Israel and what she described as “Zionist propaganda.”
“You emboldened Zionist propaganda. And you’ll keep doing it as long as it lines with your pockets,” the woman shouted.
Gloria, who has previously expressed support for Israel, later told reporters: “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.”
The attack drew condemnation from lawmakers across the country.
California Senator Adam Schiff said he was “heartbroken” over the shooting and described it as “a horrific attack on Southern California’s Muslim community.”
“Every American should be able to practice their faith without fear of violence.”
Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said he was “deeply disturbed” by the shooting.
California Senator Alex Padilla said he was praying for the victims and that his office was closely monitoring developments.
The attack has intensified fears among Muslim communities over rising anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence in the United States, particularly amid growing political polarization and repeated hate incidents targeting mosques and Islamic institutions.
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