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Indian American Democrats decry San Diego mosque shooting
Two teenage suspects were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, and the incident is now being investigated as a possible hate crime.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Tue, 19, May 2026
- 03:31 EDT
- 27
Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Kash Patel, and Harmeet Dhillon / Wikimedia commons
Indian American Democratic lawmakers have united in condemnation of the deadly shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque, describing the attack as “a horrific act of hate” and calling for condemnation of Islamophobia.
A deadly shooting occurred May 18 at the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing three people, including a security guard who heroically confronted the attackers, and wounding others.
Two teenage suspects were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Within hours of the deadly attack, law enforcement agencies identified two individuals as suspected shooters, 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vasquez, according to media reports.
Reacting to the news, Democratic U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said on X, “I am devastated to see the news of this deadly attack on a mosque in San Diego. Our places of worship should be safe spaces for all people.”
She added, “We must all stand up and condemn this attack and all forms of Islamophobia, racism, and hatred that are on the rise in our communities.”
Three people are dead after a horrific act of hate at a mosque in San Diego.
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) May 18, 2026
No one should fear violence because of how they worship. Anti-Muslim hate has no place in America, and we must confront it wherever it exists.https://t.co/a6Uv0e6zs4
Rep. Ro Khanna noted that he was “horrified” by the news of the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and emphasized that “every human being has the right to worship in peace, safe from hate and violence.”
Rep. Ami Bera vowed that his office is closely monitoring the incident and highlighted the duty to “protect the right of every person in our nation to pray and worship in peace.”
He added, “Janine and I are holding the victims, their loved ones, and Muslim communities in San Diego and across our nation in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
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Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who labeled the incident as “a horrific act of hate,” demanded the upholding of people’s right to worship.
He said, “No one should fear violence because of how they worship. Anti-Muslim hate has no place in America, and we must confront it wherever it exists.”
I am devastated to see the news of this deadly attack on a mosque in San Diego. Our places of worship should be safe spaces for all people. We must all stand up and condemn this attack and all forms of Islamophobia, racism, and hatred that are on the rise in our communities. https://t.co/xt2FRtWBAu
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) May 18, 2026
FBI Director Kash Patel quickly responded after the attack and said FBI San Diego had responded to the scene of the shooting.
Patel added, “All resources will be made available to assist local partners, and we will update the public as we’re able.”
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice Harmeet Dhillon also promised swift action and said, “The Civil Rights Division of the DOJ is monitoring this terrible situation in San Diego and will coordinate with local and federal law enforcement partners as appropriate.”
She added, “The DOJ will not tolerate attacks on any house of worship in America.”
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