Three killed in suspected hate crime at San Diego mosque

Two teenage attackers fatally shot three men at a mosque in San Diego, California, in a suspected hate crime, before taking their own lives, say police. The assault took place on Monday morning as officers were investigating a call about a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home. Police were alerted to the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and found three victims who had been shot in the front of the building. Shortly afterwards, they received another call that shots had been fired nearby from a vehicle at a landscaper. Officers found the suspects - aged 17 and 18 - dead of self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle not far from the mosque.Among the deceased victims was a security guard who worked at the centre and "played a pivotal role" in preventing the attack from being "much worse", officials said."It's fair to say his actions were heroic," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told a news conference. "Undoubtedly he saved lives today."The incident is being investigated as a hate crime, according to the FBI, because of writings found by the mother of one suspect.Police were first called to the mosque at 11:43 local time (18:43 GMT) and "observed what appeared to be three deceased victims out front", Wahl said.