FBI Investigates Hate Manifesto After Deadly San Diego Mosque Shooting

Federal investigators say the two teenagers behind the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego met online and shared extremist writings expressing hatred toward multiple races and religions before carrying out the attack.

According to the FBI, the suspects; aged 17 and 18, were believed to have been radicalized through online interactions and left behind writings that revealed what authorities described as a “broad hatred” toward different groups. Investigators recovered manifestos and other materials containing racist, antisemitic, anti-Muslim and misogynistic content.

The attack, which took place at the Islamic Center in San Diego, left three people dead, including mosque security guard Amin Abdullah, who officials say acted heroically to protect worshippers and children inside the facility. Authorities said Abdullah confronted the gunmen and helped trigger a lockdown that likely saved dozens of lives.

Investigators also revealed that one of the suspects’ mothers had contacted police hours before the shooting, warning that her son was suicidal, armed, and missing with another teen. Law enforcement officers had already begun searching for the pair before reports of gunfire emerged at the mosque.

Police said the attackers arrived heavily armed and wearing tactical gear before opening fire outside the mosque. The suspects were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a nearby vehicle. Authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime and continue to investigate possible extremist influences and online networks connected to the suspects.

The shooting has renewed concerns in the United States over online radicalization and growing extremist rhetoric targeting religious communities. Community leaders and public officials have condemned the violence and called for increased protection for places of worship across the country.