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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 concerts ramp up with big stars

From stadium pop to indie and reggae, San Diego venues are hosting a wide mix of shows this May.

Things to Do

San Diego&#x27;s concert scene is stepping up in the next few weeks.The big picture: From big-name artists like P!nk to indie bands like St. Lucia, there&#x27;s something for everyone.

Mother's Day family time ideas

A new reader poll shows most prefer family time — here are easy, local ways to celebrate together.

The majority of you told us that Mother&#x27;s Day is about spending time as a family.The big picture: In our Mother&#x27;s Day poll, 69% chose family time over moms getting alone time to relax.

Take a Hike: New Ruffin Canyon trail

A new trail link adds smoother walking, but much of Ruffin Canyon remains rocky and tough on feet.

A new portion of the Ruffin Canyon trail opening has been making <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a lot of news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/new-ruffin-canyon-hiking-trail-finally-opens-after-a-decade-of-delay/4011903/" data-vars-content-id="5f0d8ad6-f003-48be-b8ab-49f697ce493a" data-vars-headline="Take a Hike: New Ruffin Canyon trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/new-ruffin-canyon-hiking-trail-finally-opens-after-a-decade-of-delay/4011903/" target="_blank">a lot of news</a> recently, so we decided to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="check it out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/07/take-a-hike-san-diego-river-trail" data-vars-content-id="5f0d8ad6-f003-48be-b8ab-49f697ce493a" data-vars-headline="Take a Hike: New Ruffin Canyon trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/07/take-a-hike-san-diego-river-trail" target="_self">check it out</a>.The big picture: Ruffin Canyon is a little ... rough ... on the feet, but the new dirt path connecting to Mission Valley is nice and smooth.

San Diego Music Awards raise nearly $1M for school music programs

Organizers say the fundraiser is critical as budget cuts threaten arts programs across San Diego.

San Diego&#x27;s version of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grammys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/ice-out-2026-grammys-protest-pins-bad-bunny-photos" data-vars-content-id="93600543-cdca-486a-8888-c6c0bd583e84" data-vars-headline="San Diego Music Awards raise nearly $1M for school music programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/ice-out-2026-grammys-protest-pins-bad-bunny-photos" target="_self">Grammys</a> is back for its 35th year.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego Music Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/35th-annual-san-diego-music-awards-tickets-1981291028802?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ebps&amp;utm_campaign=PSNB_CUAL_PMK_PDO_0_US_0_BAU_0_GA05&amp;utm_term=&amp;aff=ebmkmxperformance&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21767988938&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAo0IdU1HCxKdMDQs-pDn1lyuVucGE&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwh-HPBhCIARIsAC0p3cemj-NBo_ZB6Rj-wWMaMo8qjt_XNaZ2g77wqoEJeupH0wZ1y10ZshQaAhoMEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="93600543-cdca-486a-8888-c6c0bd583e84" data-vars-headline="San Diego Music Awards raise nearly $1M for school music programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/35th-annual-san-diego-music-awards-tickets-1981291028802?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ebps&amp;utm_campaign=PSNB_CUAL_PMK_PDO_0_US_0_BAU_0_GA05&amp;utm_term=&amp;aff=ebmkmxperformance&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21767988938&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAo0IdU1HCxKdMDQs-pDn1lyuVucGE&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwh-HPBhCIARIsAC0p3cemj-NBo_ZB6Rj-wWMaMo8qjt_XNaZ2g77wqoEJeupH0wZ1y10ZshQaAhoMEALw_wcB" target="_blank">San Diego Music Awards</a> are a chance to discover and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrate local musicians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/02/18/san-diego-music-awards-2025-nominees-announced-voting-underway" data-vars-content-id="93600543-cdca-486a-8888-c6c0bd583e84" data-vars-headline="San Diego Music Awards raise nearly $1M for school music programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/02/18/san-diego-music-awards-2025-nominees-announced-voting-underway" target="_self">celebrate local musicians</a> and raise money to get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more guitars in schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org/donate" data-vars-content-id="93600543-cdca-486a-8888-c6c0bd583e84" data-vars-headline="San Diego Music Awards raise nearly $1M for school music programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org/donate" target="_blank">more guitars in schools</a>.

How do you celebrate moms?

Tell us your plans for the moms in your life and help shape a future guide to local ideas.

Mother&#x27;s Day is right around the corner and we&#x27;re wondering how you celebrate the moms in your life.<ul><li>Take our quick poll and let us know!</li></ul><div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/7e13f621-3634-4bd8-ab31-14b7c389e902/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="7e13f621-3634-4bd8-ab31-14b7c389e902" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="7e13f621-3634-4bd8-ab31-14b7c389e902" data-vars-content-id="5742d4ea-3580-4882-9814-6054bbb54e7d" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>We&#x27;ll share the results and ideas for both types of Mother&#x27;s Day in a future newsletter.

Get permission to be unproductive at new art show

A new Oceanside Museum of Art show uses striking imagery to explore exhaustion and why rest matters.

Health

Needing rest is normal, not <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a weakness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/06/ai-chatgpt-claude-jobs-brain-fry" data-vars-content-id="b57cc9d9-321a-455a-a7a6-69d6e0d2e029" data-vars-headline="Get permission to be unproductive at new art show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/06/ai-chatgpt-claude-jobs-brain-fry" target="_self">a weakness</a>. That&#x27;s the message behind a new exhibit at the Oceanside Museum of Art opening this weekend.Why it matters: Basically, everyone feels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mentally exhausted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/07/micro-stress-mental-health" data-vars-content-id="b57cc9d9-321a-455a-a7a6-69d6e0d2e029" data-vars-headline="Get permission to be unproductive at new art show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/07/micro-stress-mental-health" target="_self">mentally exhausted</a> these days, and local artist Kate Tova&#x27;s art explores why and how to feel less drained.

8 things to do in San Diego this weekend

From Gaslamp fiestas to Del Mar food stalls and live shows, here's what to do this weekend.

We&#x27;ve got you covered if you&#x27;re looking for plans this weekend.The big picture: Cinco de Mayo celebrations, food festivals and live shows are taking over San Diego as May kicks off.

San Diego book crawl spotlights indie bookstore surge

Find your next favorite read at one of 15 local shops on the self-guided tour.

Peruse the shelves of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego&#x27;s independent bookstores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/04/24/new-independent-bookstore-san-diego-book-crawl-2025" data-vars-content-id="4a5ee11f-6b41-4047-9ccd-5420c3101d45" data-vars-headline="San Diego book crawl spotlights indie bookstore surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/04/24/new-independent-bookstore-san-diego-book-crawl-2025" target="_self">San Diego&#x27;s independent bookstores</a> this weekend during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s annual book crawl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sdbookcrawl.com/" data-vars-content-id="4a5ee11f-6b41-4047-9ccd-5420c3101d45" data-vars-headline="San Diego book crawl spotlights indie bookstore surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sdbookcrawl.com/" target="_blank">city&#x27;s annual book crawl</a>.The big picture: The three-day, self-guided tour is the local celebration of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Independent Bookstore Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bookweb.org/independent-bookstore-day" data-vars-content-id="4a5ee11f-6b41-4047-9ccd-5420c3101d45" data-vars-headline="San Diego book crawl spotlights indie bookstore surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bookweb.org/independent-bookstore-day" target="_blank">Independent Bookstore Day</a> on Saturday. Thousands of shops nationwide are participating with prizes, activities and exclusive books.

Panda Fest brings Asian culture to San Diego

Expect Asian street food, drinks and desserts, live performances, and Panda attractions.

Panda Fest, a massive Asian food and culture festival, is taking over Waterfront Park on Saturday and Sunday.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two-day, family-friendly event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/pandafestsandiego/" data-vars-content-id="f1d928f0-931a-429e-a05b-09615c673f81" data-vars-headline="Panda Fest brings Asian culture to San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/pandafestsandiego/" target="_blank">two-day, family-friendly event</a> was created by the founders of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dragon Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dragonfests.com/" data-vars-content-id="f1d928f0-931a-429e-a05b-09615c673f81" data-vars-headline="Panda Fest brings Asian culture to San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dragonfests.com/" target="_blank">Dragon Fest</a>, which is recognized as one of the largest Asian cultural festivals in the U.S.<ul><li>Panda Fest is coming to San Diego for the first time and has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drawn sold-out crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/16/panda-fest-sold-out-in-charlotte-review" data-vars-content-id="f1d928f0-931a-429e-a05b-09615c673f81" data-vars-headline="Panda Fest brings Asian culture to San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/16/panda-fest-sold-out-in-charlotte-review" target="_self">drawn sold-out crowds</a> in other cities.</li><li>The large local Asian community and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zoo&#x27;s giant pandas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/08/07/san-diego-zoo-panda-exhibit-opening-yun-chuan-xin-bao" data-vars-content-id="f1d928f0-931a-429e-a05b-09615c673f81" data-vars-headline="Panda Fest brings Asian culture to 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/2024/08/07/san-diego-zoo-panda-exhibit-opening-yun-chuan-xin-bao" target="_self">zoo&#x27;s giant pandas</a> were part of the reason to bring the celebration here, founder BiuBiu Xu told Axios.</li></ul>What to expect: Try bites from more than 80 local and national food vendors offering more than 200 dishes (think street food and viral desserts) from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.<ul><li>About 30 merch booths will be selling crafts, clothes and accessories.</li><li>There will also be live performances and Instagram-worthy panda attractions like a 15-foot inflatable panda, face painting and a bounce house.</li></ul>If you go: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/panda-fest-san-diego-2026-tickets-1981377780278?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnE6pI0BfHKGjqZ3t-x22qDbeNLx5WLY6sWUbkJyKmWVBM1xy354iYwrL7WjQ_aem_0z2cMCR4Vp-FNifD8bCDaQ" data-vars-content-id="f1d928f0-931a-429e-a05b-09615c673f81" data-vars-headline="Panda Fest brings Asian culture to San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/panda-fest-san-diego-2026-tickets-1981377780278?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnE6pI0BfHKGjqZ3t-x22qDbeNLx5WLY6sWUbkJyKmWVBM1xy354iYwrL7WjQ_aem_0z2cMCR4Vp-FNifD8bCDaQ" target="_blank">Tickets</a> are $20 (VIP tickets are $43).<ul><li>Sign up for time slots from 10am-10pm on Saturday and 10am-8pm on Sunday.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Quad-panel food collage: top left chili-drenched dumplings on a white plate; top right panda-topped pancakes with purple glaze; bottom left handheld noodles with skewers; bottom right colorful fruit dipped in hard glass-like sugar on skewers." height="1080" id="6d8a69d1-64d4-40db-9050-1b5d3ed596c1" src="https://images.axios.com/nJqaJaSJLIDFknzY3eqLq8UpPlM=/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg" width="1920" srcset="https://images.axios.com/CVlKWtkx02oPop4LUkvUZDwgQi4=/1920x1080/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/uTKt-zTYQmPu0TGc9nAI8OfLbUI=/1600x900/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/I_Phfizs25oyF73FYd_12X8Qdnc=/1366x768/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/noWjGz9iCorYm2_SQkcR9wRAKw0=/1024x576/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/pGU4cvrOQU0Ol2j9nsOSkUcym9U=/768x432/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/b6vS3TjHakpZu6gQ2i44z9frOF0=/640x360/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/DCGHmE1d2IGtbXMOXWAY-G1UJxE=/320x180/smart/2026/04/23/1776902710218.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Try these photogenic foods at the downtown festival this weekend. Photos: Courtesy of Panda Fest</figcaption></figure>

Music, food and art festivals headline San Diego weekend events

Art Alive, WOW Festival, Adams Ave Unplugged, and Uncorked are some of the big ones.

This weekend is jam-packed with major events, including multiple food, art and music festivals happening around San Diego.Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s on deck:

Things to Do 🗓

San Diego concerts ramp up with big stars

Bat boxes upgrade backyards

Visit Oceanside's Artist Alley market and other weekend events

Mother's Day family time ideas

Take a Hike: New Ruffin Canyon trail