‘Hate rhetoric’ involved in deadly San Diego mosque shooting, police say

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said “hate rhetoric” was involved in the deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque that left five people dead, including the two suspects.

Wahl said the shooting that took place on Monday morning at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being investigated as a hate crime.

The two suspects were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle near the Islamic center. NBC reported that police identified the suspects as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 19.

Three additional victims were killed in the shooting. One of the victims was a security guard at the Islamic Center, Amin Abdullah, according to reports.

Wahl said the mother of one of the suspects called the police about a “runaway juvenile.” He said after speaking with the mother, she started to “piece together” information, which “elevated the threat level.”

The mother believed her son was suicidal and