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Deadly shooting at San Diego's largest mosque

Officers evacuated people from the Clairemont mosque as police responded Monday afternoon.

Politics & Policy

Five people are dead — including two gunmen — after a shooting at the Islamic Center of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego" data-vars-content-id="51a70942-b794-481d-b880-4f1c2617effa" data-vars-headline="Deadly shooting at San Diego&#x27;s largest mosque" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego" target="_self">San Diego</a> in Clairemont, according to San Diego Police.

San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for "heroic" actions

The 3 community members are being remembered for protecting children and others.

The three victims in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monday&#x27;s shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" data-vars-content-id="83203d6a-8309-4dcd-9b8e-91bb216300bc" data-vars-headline="San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for &quot;heroic&quot; actions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" target="_self">Monday&#x27;s shooting</a> at the Islamic Center of San Diego were all beloved members of the Muslim community and acted heroically to save other lives, according to community leaders and San Diego police.Security guard Amin Abdullah, as well as community members Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were shot outside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the center&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-mosque-threats" data-vars-content-id="83203d6a-8309-4dcd-9b8e-91bb216300bc" data-vars-headline="San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for &quot;heroic&quot; actions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-mosque-threats" target="_self">the center&#x27;s</a> entrance and are being lauded for preventing violence from reaching children attending school inside.

What to know about California's June 2 primary

California voters will weigh in on crowded statewide races and key San Diego measures this June.

Politics

The June 2 primary is coming up, and California voters have a lot to decide.Why it matters: More than a dozen statewide elections will alter the political landscape in the Golden State, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowded governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/13/eric-swalwell-drops-out-california-governor-race-scandal-democrats-open-field" data-vars-content-id="d5348f82-8210-44b5-bc7b-323cf802acbe" data-vars-headline="What to know about California&#x27;s June 2 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/13/eric-swalwell-drops-out-california-governor-race-scandal-democrats-open-field" target="_self">crowded governor&#x27;s race</a> to the consequential campaign for insurance commissioner.<ul><li>The top two vote-getters in the primary advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation. (For a full list of candidates, check out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California&#x27;s official voter information guide" data-vars-click-url="https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/" data-vars-content-id="d5348f82-8210-44b5-bc7b-323cf802acbe" data-vars-headline="What to know about California&#x27;s June 2 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/" target="_blank">California&#x27;s official voter information guide</a>.)</li></ul>

Some in San Diego Islamic Center community feared attack for years

Some in San Diego Muslim community feared attack for years

"This is all of our nightmares," she told Axios.

News

Homayra Yusufi has gone to the Islamic Center of San Diego since she was a child and told Axios that the community has long been afraid something like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monday&#x27;s fatal shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" data-vars-content-id="4352fb97-be0a-46aa-a06c-57fa0636331a" data-vars-headline="Some in San Diego Islamic Center community feared attack for years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" target="_self">Monday&#x27;s fatal shooting</a> would happen. <ul><li>&quot;The Islamic Center has gotten multiple threats of violence, and so this is all of our nightmares,&quot; she said.</li></ul>

San Diego's electric bills are up 50% since 2021

Average monthly SDG&E bills have climbed sharply in recent years, reflecting broader energy cost trends.

Climate

San Diego&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/05/california-electricity-bills-spike-amid-ai-boom" data-vars-content-id="6bf01dc1-a66f-44c0-b3f4-586c7dd477f0" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s electric bills are up 50% since 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/05/california-electricity-bills-spike-amid-ai-boom" target="_self">electric bills</a> went up 50% over the last five years, per a new Axios analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="6bf01dc1-a66f-44c0-b3f4-586c7dd477f0" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s electric bills are up 50% since 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">data</a> collected and shared by climate newsroom Heatmap News.Why it matters: Utility bills are just <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one more cost" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" data-vars-content-id="6bf01dc1-a66f-44c0-b3f4-586c7dd477f0" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s electric bills are up 50% since 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" target="_self">one more cost</a> that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising rapidly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/28/california-burrito-san-diego-cost-increase-restaurant-inflation" data-vars-content-id="6bf01dc1-a66f-44c0-b3f4-586c7dd477f0" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s electric bills are up 50% since 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/28/california-burrito-san-diego-cost-increase-restaurant-inflation" target="_self">rising rapidly</a> for locals.

Zoo freezes sunflower sea star larvae in conservation first

Cryopreservation is a major conservation breakthrough to restore the critically endangered sunflower sea star.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego&#x27;s Frozen Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/10/frozen-zoo-biobank-endangered-species" data-vars-content-id="8b5b66cd-1e85-40e7-bfb8-89c4f7cf1607" data-vars-headline="Zoo freezes sunflower sea star larvae in conservation first" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/10/frozen-zoo-biobank-endangered-species" target="_self">San Diego&#x27;s Frozen Zoo</a> and Birch Aquarium are working to save the sunflower sea star by cryopreserving larvae.Why it matters: This major conservation breakthrough could help save the critically endangered species by expanding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frozen biobank" data-vars-click-url="https://science.sandiegozoo.org/divisions/biodiversity-banking" data-vars-content-id="8b5b66cd-1e85-40e7-bfb8-89c4f7cf1607" data-vars-headline="Zoo freezes sunflower sea star larvae in conservation first" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://science.sandiegozoo.org/divisions/biodiversity-banking" target="_blank">frozen biobank</a> to restore a genetically diverse population.

San Diego's beaches are bouncing back after El Niño

Scripps researchers say it's good news about the health and resilience of our coasts.

San Diego County beaches are growing again, signaling they&#x27;ve entered the recovery phase after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Nino" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" data-vars-content-id="e170aabf-0fa4-4bd8-b1b3-64b269ac89e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s beaches are bouncing back after El Niño" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" target="_self">El Nino</a> last year, a new report shows.Why it matters: It&#x27;s good news for the health of our coasts, as wide, sandy beaches help <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="protect against erosion" data-vars-click-url="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coastalthreat.html" data-vars-content-id="e170aabf-0fa4-4bd8-b1b3-64b269ac89e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s beaches are bouncing back after El Niño" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coastalthreat.html" target="_blank">protect against erosion</a> and flooding while making <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beaches safer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/22/scripps-tool-predicts-beach-closures-sewage-ocean" data-vars-content-id="e170aabf-0fa4-4bd8-b1b3-64b269ac89e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s beaches are bouncing back after El Niño" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/22/scripps-tool-predicts-beach-closures-sewage-ocean" target="_self">beaches safer</a> and more enjoyable for recreation.

How climate risks for San Diego homes compare nationwide

About 17% of San Diego homes, worth $155 billion, face severe or extreme fire risk

Just over 17% of homes in San Diego County face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="severe or extreme risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/climate-risk-housing-market-real-estate" data-vars-content-id="b4cf457f-3a4f-4bf7-b74a-31d7af4e6200" data-vars-headline="How climate risks for San Diego homes compare nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/climate-risk-housing-market-real-estate" target="_self">severe or extreme risk</a> of fire damage, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="http://Realtor.com" data-vars-content-id="b4cf457f-3a4f-4bf7-b74a-31d7af4e6200" data-vars-headline="How climate risks for San Diego homes compare nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://Realtor.com" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/climate-risk-2025/" data-vars-content-id="b4cf457f-3a4f-4bf7-b74a-31d7af4e6200" data-vars-headline="How climate risks for San Diego homes compare nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/climate-risk-2025/" target="_blank">analysis</a>. <ul><li>The total value of those homes is more than $155 billion. </li></ul>Why it matters: Climate change is intensifying extreme weather — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hiking home insurance premiums" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/24/california-home-insurance-wildfire-costs" data-vars-content-id="b4cf457f-3a4f-4bf7-b74a-31d7af4e6200" data-vars-headline="How climate risks for San Diego homes compare nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/24/california-home-insurance-wildfire-costs" target="_self">hiking home insurance premiums</a> and driving some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="insurers to retreat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/10/california-insurance-wildfire-floor-insurance-risk-fair-plan" data-vars-content-id="b4cf457f-3a4f-4bf7-b74a-31d7af4e6200" data-vars-headline="How climate risks for San Diego homes compare nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/10/california-insurance-wildfire-floor-insurance-risk-fair-plan" target="_self">insurers to retreat</a>.

California's solo EV drivers lose access to HOV lanes

Roughly 500,000 California EV drivers with Clean Air decals will be stuck in the slow lanes.

San Diego&#x27;s solo <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric vehicle drivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/12/18/san-diego-electric-vehicles-hotspot" data-vars-content-id="b051b725-5ceb-4dc4-9bb1-f7792903e782" data-vars-headline="California&#x27;s solo EV drivers lose access to HOV lanes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/12/18/san-diego-electric-vehicles-hotspot" target="_self">electric vehicle drivers</a>, as well as those throughout California and 11 other states, will no longer be allowed to use the HOV lanes or pay lower tolls starting Wednesday.Why it matters: Unrestricted access to highway carpool lanes is a big motivator for commuters to switch to electric or hybrid vehicles.

San Diego trails in active transportation, study finds

About 14% of trips among county residents were walking or biking, with the vast majority of those walking.

San Diego County is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="not among the top 30 counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/walking-biking-county" data-vars-content-id="902daf97-4646-492d-971e-0356fae4f8b0" data-vars-headline="San Diego trails in active transportation, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/walking-biking-county" target="_self">not among the top 30 counties</a> in the U.S. for the share of trips taken on foot or by bike rather than in a vehicle, according to a new report.Why it matters: Discouraging driving by developing dense, walkable urban areas has been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cornerstone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/06/06/carlsbad-encinitas-la-mesa-chula-vista-climate-action-plan-report-card" data-vars-content-id="902daf97-4646-492d-971e-0356fae4f8b0" data-vars-headline="San Diego trails in active transportation, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/06/06/carlsbad-encinitas-la-mesa-chula-vista-climate-action-plan-report-card" target="_self">cornerstone</a> of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="region&#x27;s strategy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/regional-plan/2021-regional-plan/final-2021-regional-plan/2021-regional-plan-chapter-2-2021-12-01.pdf" data-vars-content-id="902daf97-4646-492d-971e-0356fae4f8b0" data-vars-headline="San Diego trails in active transportation, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/regional-plan/2021-regional-plan/final-2021-regional-plan/2021-regional-plan-chapter-2-2021-12-01.pdf" target="_blank">region&#x27;s strategy</a> to combat climate change for years.

San Diego is seeing more weather that fuels wildfires

Hot, dry and windy weather that helps wildfires spread is becoming more common.

Hot, dry and windy weather that fuels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/14/climate-change-extreme-wildfire-season" data-vars-content-id="30efcd78-2d96-4360-8dd5-d6a7c544ca35" data-vars-headline="San Diego is seeing more weather that fuels wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/14/climate-change-extreme-wildfire-season" target="_self">wildfires</a> is becoming more common in San Diego County and much of the western U.S. amid climate change, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: What used to be several months of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/15/us-wildfire-outlook-2024-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="30efcd78-2d96-4360-8dd5-d6a7c544ca35" data-vars-headline="San Diego is seeing more weather that fuels wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/15/us-wildfire-outlook-2024-climate-change" target="_self">fire season</a> is stretching in some places into a yearlong phenomenon, straining fire departments and others tasked with controlling or containing blazes.

San Diego summers, like the rest of the U.S., are getting hotter

The average summer temperature has increased  3.2°F since 1970.

Don&#x27;t let June Gloom mislead you: summers are getting hotter in San Diego — and in the rest of the U.S.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hotter summers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/06/earth-hottest-summer-globe" data-vars-content-id="825ce383-2101-48cc-8194-603bdcbc110c" data-vars-headline="San Diego summers, like the rest of the U.S., are getting hotter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/06/earth-hottest-summer-globe" target="_self">Hotter summers</a> are one of the clearest ways we experience climate change.

San Diego remains in top 10 for worst ozone pollution in the U.S.

San Diego County got failing grades for air pollution in American Lung Association report

San Diego&#x27;s ozone pollution is among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worst in the U.S." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="f9932980-5ced-4c72-9b2c-98004eedcaa4" data-vars-headline="San Diego remains in top 10 for worst ozone pollution in the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">worst in the U.S.</a>, making it one of the smoggiest areas in the country, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="f9932980-5ced-4c72-9b2c-98004eedcaa4" data-vars-headline="San Diego remains in top 10 for worst ozone pollution in the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">new report</a> from the American Lung Association.Why it matters: Air pollution threatens everyone&#x27;s health — especially children, older people and those with asthma or heart and lung conditions.

SeaWorld San Diego releases seven rehabilitated sea lions back into the Pacific Ocean

The California sea lions were found emaciated or wounded around San Diego County beaches

<figure><img alt="A California sea lion waddles off a boat and into the ocean. " height="450" id="684dab0f-101f-4bff-894b-a078b3a121ba" src="https://images.axios.com/W30Dw87UkJgOCDT5iqJ_wmF82Nk=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/03/19/1742421850921.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>SeaWorld San Diego&#x27;s rescue team released this California sea lion back into the Pacific Ocean after rehabilitation. Video: Kate Murphy/Axios</figcaption></figure>Seven sea lions waddled off a boat and into their newfound home in the Pacific Ocean this morning after being rehabilitated by SeaWorld San Diego&#x27;s rescue team.Why it matters: It marked the final step of an effort to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="save stranded, entangled or injured marine animals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/answering-call-seaworld-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="d5e68644-7f11-4e2f-a005-245d30aa3be7" data-vars-headline="SeaWorld San Diego releases seven rehabilitated sea lions back into the Pacific Ocean" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/answering-call-seaworld-san-diego" target="_blank">save stranded, entangled or injured marine animals</a> that need medical attention, including those that are endangered and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="threatened" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/science-technology/2024/05/30/california-sea-lion-pups-dying-in-large-numbers" data-vars-content-id="d5e68644-7f11-4e2f-a005-245d30aa3be7" data-vars-headline="SeaWorld San Diego releases seven rehabilitated sea lions back into the Pacific Ocean" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/science-technology/2024/05/30/california-sea-lion-pups-dying-in-large-numbers" target="_blank">threatened</a>.

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map showing the estimated average 2025 monthly electric bill by U.S. county. The national average is estimated to be $158 per month. Some areas have averages above $200 per month, like Alabama, Texas and California. States in the Mountain West tend to have the lowest average bills, at $100 or less.

Estimated average monthly electric bill in 2025

Data: Heatmap News, OEDI, EIA, HUD, U.S. Census; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Climate 🌿

San Diego's electric bills are up 50% since 2021

Zoo freezes sunflower sea star larvae in conservation first

San Diego's beaches are bouncing back after El Niño

Photo to go: Winter sunset season preview

California faces highest wildfire smoke death count in U.S.

Climate 🌿

San Diego's electric bills are up 50% since 2021

Zoo freezes sunflower sea star larvae in conservation first

San Diego's beaches are bouncing back after El Niño

Photo to go: Winter sunset season preview

California faces highest wildfire smoke death count in U.S.

San Diego's beaches are bouncing back after El Niño