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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 privacy board seeks more police tech oversight

The board is taking action after Axios revealed SDPD's new Flock Nova contract.

San Diego&#x27;s Privacy Advisory Board is asking to be more involved in the city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="evaluating surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/30/san-diego-surveillence-tech-approval-review-process" data-vars-content-id="6bc74f7b-0865-4885-a731-15f6f66bf353" data-vars-headline="San Diego privacy board seeks more police tech oversight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/30/san-diego-surveillence-tech-approval-review-process" target="_self">evaluating surveillance technology</a> following Axios&#x27; exclusive reporting on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="police department&#x27;s Flock Nova contract" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" data-vars-content-id="6bc74f7b-0865-4885-a731-15f6f66bf353" data-vars-headline="San Diego privacy board seeks more police tech oversight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" target="_self">police department&#x27;s Flock Nova contract</a>.Why it matters: The board was created to review how city departments use surveillance technology, but it was kept in the dark about this contract.

Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge

Police data shows crashes quadrupling in recent years.

E-bike collisions across San Diego have nearly quadrupled over the past five years, police data obtained exclusively by Axios shows.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-bike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/13/advocates-emotos-ebikes-legislation" data-vars-content-id="fdfe3897-9953-4bf8-bf09-d074ff246a2f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/13/advocates-emotos-ebikes-legislation" target="_self">E-bike</a> injuries are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketing" data-vars-click-url="https://inewsource.org/2026/03/24/ebike-crashes-injury-data-san-diego-county/" data-vars-content-id="fdfe3897-9953-4bf8-bf09-d074ff246a2f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://inewsource.org/2026/03/24/ebike-crashes-injury-data-san-diego-county/" target="_blank">skyrocketing</a> and becoming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more severe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/09/rady-childrens-study-finds-more-severe-trauma-with-e-bikes/" data-vars-content-id="fdfe3897-9953-4bf8-bf09-d074ff246a2f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/09/rady-childrens-study-finds-more-severe-trauma-with-e-bikes/" target="_blank">more severe</a>, particularly for kids, as they hit speeds faster than regular bikes.

Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls

The city is using AI agents to sort nonemergency calls and assist dispatchers with transcripts and prompts.

Public Safety

San Diego has rolled out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI for police dispatchers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/01/how-san-diego-uses-ai-government-copilot-gemini-future-potholes-records-requests" data-vars-content-id="67608916-df80-467d-93a9-4d57f51f8dad" data-vars-headline="Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/01/how-san-diego-uses-ai-government-copilot-gemini-future-potholes-records-requests" target="_self">AI for police dispatchers</a>, including AI agents that answer non-emergency calls and automatically classify calls by type, per a contract obtained exclusively by Axios.Why it matters: The contract is another example of the city using <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/20/san-diego-chula-vista-police-drones" data-vars-content-id="67608916-df80-467d-93a9-4d57f51f8dad" data-vars-headline="Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/20/san-diego-chula-vista-police-drones" target="_self">AI technology</a> to help employees be more efficient, but advocates warn it could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violate privacy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" data-vars-content-id="67608916-df80-467d-93a9-4d57f51f8dad" data-vars-headline="Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" target="_self">violate privacy</a>.

How San Diego gets surveillance tech approved

The public review process was created in 2022 to build trust and transparency.

When the City of San Diego wants to add <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new surveillance tools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" data-vars-content-id="ff0fadf3-5ea2-493a-8067-b9d29df5c7e1" data-vars-headline="How San Diego gets surveillance tech approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" target="_self">new surveillance tools</a> to its arsenal, it must first go through a public review process.Catch up quick: City departments evaluate new tools to see if they meet the definition of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/police/data-transparency/technology" data-vars-content-id="ff0fadf3-5ea2-493a-8067-b9d29df5c7e1" data-vars-headline="How San Diego gets surveillance tech approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/police/data-transparency/technology" target="_blank">surveillance technology</a> under the city&#x27;s Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) ordinance.

Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal

Police say the software was exempt from an oversight process for surveillance tech.

Privacy advocates are alarmed that San Diego Police acquired a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveillance-related technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" target="_self">surveillance-related technology</a> without going through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s public oversight process" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/24/council-amends-surveillance-oversight-ordinance" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/24/council-amends-surveillance-oversight-ordinance" target="_self">city&#x27;s public oversight process</a>, but the police say the platform in question didn&#x27;t need that approval.Why it matters: The contract for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Nova" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-nova-smarter-investigations-faster-case-resolutions" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-nova-smarter-investigations-faster-case-resolutions" target="_blank">Flock Nova</a> platform was quietly signed in December, as local residents and City Council members questioned police using <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock&#x27;s Safety&#x27;s other surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://transparency.flocksafety.com/san-diego-ca-pd" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://transparency.flocksafety.com/san-diego-ca-pd" target="_blank">Flock&#x27;s Safety&#x27;s other surveillance technology</a> — specifically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="license plate readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/12/city-council-flock-alternatives-license-plate-reader-police-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/12/city-council-flock-alternatives-license-plate-reader-police-surveillance" target="_self">license plate readers</a> — to assist investigations.

How San Diego plans to lower speed limits

Officials found money for lower speeds, but staff cuts raise concerns about street safety work.

Funding to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lower speed limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/24/san-diego-speed-limit-reductions-need-funding-2-4-million" data-vars-content-id="4532476b-0024-4ab0-a090-400d36982498" data-vars-headline="How San Diego plans to lower speed limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/24/san-diego-speed-limit-reductions-need-funding-2-4-million" target="_self">lower speed limits</a> on some streets isn&#x27;t included in San Diego&#x27;s proposed budget, but city officials say the plan will still get the money it needs.Why it matters: Efforts to slow speeds got renewed attention last year after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple children were killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/jackson-drive-lake-baldwin-stop-sign-tickets-andrew-olsen-san-carlos" data-vars-content-id="4532476b-0024-4ab0-a090-400d36982498" data-vars-headline="How San Diego plans to lower speed limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/jackson-drive-lake-baldwin-stop-sign-tickets-andrew-olsen-san-carlos" target="_self">multiple children were killed</a> by drivers, and city spokesperson Anthony Santacroce told Axios that improving street safety is a high priority.

Big takeaways from Mayor Gloria's draft budget

The spending plan would close a $146 million deficit through layoffs, new revenue and deep cuts.

Mayor Todd Gloria&#x27;s proposed budget would gut San Diego&#x27;s arts organizations and cut library and rec center hours while beefing up the police and fire departments.The big picture: Released Wednesday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayor&#x27;s $2.2 billion spending plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/finance/draft" data-vars-content-id="3c2f2eb0-dc5b-4572-a9ed-07f3dab2678e" data-vars-headline="Big takeaways from Mayor Gloria&#x27;s draft budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/finance/draft" target="_blank">mayor&#x27;s $2.2 billion spending plan</a> would close a projected $146 million deficit through furloughs, new revenue, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cuts to city services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/15/gloria-proposes-layoffs-furloughs-and-deep-cuts-to-arts-libraries-recreation-to-close-146m-deficit/" data-vars-content-id="3c2f2eb0-dc5b-4572-a9ed-07f3dab2678e" data-vars-headline="Big takeaways from Mayor Gloria&#x27;s draft budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/15/gloria-proposes-layoffs-furloughs-and-deep-cuts-to-arts-libraries-recreation-to-close-146m-deficit/" target="_blank">cuts to city services</a> and programs, including layoffs.

Not so fast on lower speed limits in San Diego

The City Council approved lower speeds, but $2.4M in funding is still uncertain.

It may take at least a year for San Diego to lower speed limits on some streets following a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City Council vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/murray-park-drive-belle-glade-stop-sign-request-lake-murray-san-carlos" data-vars-content-id="9f56b351-fa31-44d7-b920-c9dcdd9ce354" data-vars-headline="Not so fast on lower speed limits in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/murray-park-drive-belle-glade-stop-sign-request-lake-murray-san-carlos" target="_self">City Council vote</a> to improve traffic safety.Why it matters: The council vote came after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple children were killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/jackson-drive-lake-baldwin-stop-sign-tickets-andrew-olsen-san-carlos" data-vars-content-id="9f56b351-fa31-44d7-b920-c9dcdd9ce354" data-vars-headline="Not so fast on lower speed limits in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/jackson-drive-lake-baldwin-stop-sign-tickets-andrew-olsen-san-carlos" target="_self">multiple children were killed</a> by drivers, but the plan still needs millions in funding.