San Diego police say they are responding to an active shooter at a local Islamic Center

2026-05-18T19:29:51Z

San Diego police are responding to an active shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

Officer Anthony Carrasco says they believe people have been shot.

The Islamic Center is in a heavily residential neighborhood about 9 miles (14 km) north of downtown San Diego. Aerial TV footage shows dozens of police cars around the area, with many streets closed.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said he was being briefed.

“We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities,” his office posted on the social platform X.

The Islamic Center is the largest mosque in San Diego County, according to its website. The campus includes the Al Rashid School, which the website says offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran.

The website says its mission is to not only serve the Muslim population but also “work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation.” Five daily prayers are held there, and the mosque works with other organizations and people of all faiths on social causes.

JULIE WATSON Watson covers immigration, US-Mexico border issues and the environment, and helps direct coverage of California and Nevada for The Associated Press. She’s reported from Mexico, Central and South America, and was a 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist. twitter