Terrifying police radio recordings from the deadly San Diego mosque shooting are now revealing the sheer panic, confusion, and horror officers faced as gunfire erupted outside one of California’s largest Islamic centers — and investigators say the newly released audio may expose just how rapidly the massacre spiraled out of control.

The attack unfolded on May 18 at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where two teenage gunmen allegedly opened fire during midday prayer services, killing three people and injuring others before later being found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a hate crime after anti-Islamic writings and extremist rhetoric were reportedly discovered inside the suspects’ vehicle.

But it is the newly released police scanner audio that is now sending shockwaves online.

In the recordings, dispatchers can be heard desperately relaying reports of active shooters as officers raced toward the mosque while terrified worshippers fled the area. One officer reportedly shouted over the radio that victims were “down everywhere,” while another urgently warned responding units that heavily armed suspects might still be moving around the complex. (

The panic in the voices was unmistakable.

At one point, radio traffic became so chaotic that dispatchers repeatedly demanded officers identify their exact locations while gunfire reports continued flooding in from different parts of the property. Witnesses later described scenes of complete terror as families carrying children ran across parking lots while officers armed with rifles stormed the mosque grounds searching for the attackers.

Investigators later confirmed the two suspects — identified as teenagers — fled the scene before police discovered them dead inside a nearby vehicle. Authorities say disturbing hate-filled writings were allegedly found inside the car along with weapons and ammunition, raising fears the attack may have been planned in advance

But according to officials, one detail inside the police audio is now drawing particular attention.

Sources close to the investigation claim several officers initially believed there could be more than two shooters because of how rapidly the gunfire erupted and how confusing the scene became within seconds. That possibility triggered a massive tactical response as law enforcement searched nearby streets fearing additional suspects could still be armed and hiding nearby.

Meanwhile, the emotional impact on the local Muslim community has been devastating.

Community members described hearing screaming and sirens echoing across the mosque grounds while children inside classrooms were rushed into lockdown. A mosque security guard praised as a hero by police was among those killed after reportedly confronting the gunmen during the attack.

Online reaction to the scanner recordings has been intense.

Across Reddit and social media, many users said the raw police audio made the tragedy feel even more horrifying than initial reports suggested. Others focused on the alleged extremist writings recovered afterward, warning that the attack reflects growing concerns over online radicalization among young people. (reddit.com)

Authorities are now analyzing the suspects’ digital activity, communications, and writings to determine whether they acted alone or were influenced by extremist communities online. Officials have not yet released the full contents of the rhetoric allegedly found after the shooting, but sources say investigators consider it a critical part of understanding the motive behind the massacre.

And as the investigation deepens, one chilling moment from the scanner audio continues haunting listeners more than any other.

Because according to officials familiar with the recordings, there was a brief period during the attack when officers genuinely believed the situation was about to become even larger and deadlier than it already was.

And investigators now reportedly think one transmission buried in the chaos may reveal the exact moment police realized this was not random violence at all… but something the gunmen may have been preparing for long before the first shot was fired.