Washington, DC – US President Donald Trump expressed his deep sorrow over the armed attack targeting the Islamic Center in San Diego, California, describing the incident as a “horrible situation.” He also confirmed that the White House is monitoring developments in coordination with local authorities.
Trump’s statement came in response to a question at a press conference, where he said, “It’s a horrific situation. I’ve received some initial information, and I’ll be closely monitoring the situation.” The attack occurred on Monday, resulting in the deaths of three people and the suicide of the two teenage perpetrators (aged 17 and 19). This crime has reignited concerns about Islamophobia and prompted a security alert that has extended to New York.
سباق مع الزمن وإخفاق تكنولوجي
The facts surrounding the events leading up to the massacre are emerging. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall announced that law enforcement was in a race against time to apprehend the two suspects. The story began at 9:42 a.m. with a report from the mother of one of the perpetrators. She reported that her son had disappeared and stolen weapons and a vehicle, believing he intended to commit suicide.
The Threat Management Unit activated its digital license plate recognition (ALPR) system and received alerts about the vehicle’s presence in the Fashion Valley shopping district. While officers were attempting to apprehend the suspects there, police received an urgent report before noon of a shooting inside the Islamic Centre on Ekström Street. It was determined that the perpetrators had arrived at the scene before the police.
Bloodshed in the mosque and a prolonged state of alert
The area surrounding the center—the largest in the county and home to Bright Horizon Academy—was transformed into a military zone to evacuate students and the public. The police chief praised the mosque’s security guard who was killed in the attack, emphasizing his pivotal role in preventing the tragedy from escalating. Imam Taha Hassan reassured the community that all children and teachers had been safely evacuated.
Politically, Mayor Todd Gloria announced increased security around places of worship, asserting, “There is no place for Islamophobia here.” Meanwhile, authorities launched an investigation into the incident as a hate crime based on extremist messages found at the scene.
The repercussions extended to the East Coast, where the New York Police Department (NYPD) announced it was raising its alert level and increasing patrols around the city’s mosques as a precautionary measure, fearing an escalation of religious violence. This came especially after recent disturbances near the Park East synagogue. This massacre opens a grim chapter regarding the rise of extremist rhetoric among teenagers. There has also been widespread solidarity with the Muslim community.
