Three people were killed on Monday in a shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque. Two teenage gunmen fatally shot a security guard and two staff members outside the mosque before dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Following the shooting, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed sorrow at the senseless violence and assured the Muslim community of prayerful solidarity.
“On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I extend our profound sorrow and prayerful solidarity following the tragic shooting at the San Diego Islamic Center. We stand with Chief Imam Taha Hassane, the entire Muslim community, and all who mourn in the wake of this senseless violence, affirming our shared commitment to the dignity of every human life and the rejection of hatred in all its forms.
“In moments such as these, we are reminded of the call to be instruments of peace; as Pope Leo XIV has said, ‘Where violence wounds the human family, compassion and unity must be our steadfast reply.’ May God console the grieving, strengthen the injured, and guide us all toward greater understanding, justice, and peace.”