A serious shooting has rocked the city of San Diego, where two teenagers shot and killed three men near a mosque before taking their own lives. US authorities suspect the crime may have been motivated by hate.
According to police, the incident occurred Monday morning at the Islamic Center of San Diego, while officers were initially investigating a call about a teenager who was suspected of attempting suicide and running away from home.
Shortly after, police received a report of gunshots at the Islamic center. Three victims were found at the scene with fatal gunshot wounds outside the building's entrance.
Meanwhile, authorities received another call about a drive-by shooting at a landscape designer in the area. During the search, officers discovered the two suspects, ages 17 and 18, dead inside a vehicle a few blocks from the mosque. According to preliminary investigations, they had killed themselves.
Among the victims was a security guard at the Islamic center, who officials said "played a key role" in trying to stop the attack and protect the people there.
Federal authorities and local police are investigating the motives for the attack, while the main lead remains that of a hate crime.
