Active shooter at Islamic Center of San Diego, at least 1 dead as cops swarm neighborhood, schools evacuated

A heavily armed group of police rushed to the scene of a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday — helicopter footage appears to show one person in a tactical vest who has been shot dead outside the mosque.

Hundreds of cops and scores of emergency vehicles lined up outside the center only minutes after the initial call came in for an active shooter. An elementary school next to the Islamic Center was also evacuated by police as were adults still inside the center.

Cops are frantically searching the neighborhood, going door to door to find the shooter, per KGTV San Diego.

It is not yet known how many shooters are involved in the incident.

“I am aware of the active shooter situation at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont and am continuing to receive updates from law enforcement. Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to protect the community and secure the area,” Mayor Todd Gloria posted to X.

There are two schools within close proximity to the mosque, the Islamic School of San Diego and the Kavod Charter School. A Seventh Day Adventist church and California Children Services are also nearby.

“SDPD is on scene at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the 7000 block of Eckstrom Ave for a reported active shooter,” the San Diego Police Department posted.

“Please avoid the area. Updates to follow,” the post added. “The scene at 7050 Eckstrom Ave is still active but contained. We have significant resources on scene at this time. We have established a reunification location at 4125 Hathaway Street, SD, CA 92111.”