Person detained after bomb squad searches suspicious vehicle near Islamic Center of San Diego
Дата публикации: 18-06-2026 14:28:22
A search into a suspicious vehicle near the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont on Thursday afternoon uncovered a Nazi flag and a suspicious canister found in the vehicle, according to the San Diego Police Department.
A person was detained for questioning following the investigation that evacuated nearby shopping centers around 11:40 a.m. near Derrick Drive and Genesee Avenue. Police later confirmed that no explosive material was found inside the canister and that it was not a danger.
Southbound Genesee Avenue has reopened to traffic, but areas around the incident will remain closed for several hours as detectives continue investigating. Police encouraged drivers to avoid the area when possible and use alternate routes.
San Diego police officers who were already at the Islamic Center at the time noticed the suspicious vehicle around 11:40 a.m. Officers shared information about the vehicle to dispatchers, who then located it near the 4300 block of Derrick Drive.
Officers stopped the vehicle and detained the driver, which is when officers saw the Nazi flag and suspicious canister within the vehicle. Officers then requested the Metro Arson Strike Team to respond and evaluate the suspicious item.
The Joint Terrorism Task Force was immediately alerted and is working with SDPD, the department said.
There is no active threat to the Islamic Center and the investigation remains ongoing, police said.
First responders at the scene of a suspicious device investigation in Clairemont on June 18, 2026. (Jacob)
Nearby shopping centers were evacuated during the investigation. A Home Depot, a Target and a DMV location were all in the area, along with several other businesses. Residents in the area were asked to shelter-in-place.
By about 5:30 p.m., those evacuations and shelter-in-place orders were lifted. Affected businesses and residents may resume normal activities, police said.
Exactly one month prior, two teenage gunmen opened fire at the mosque, killing three men before killing themselves.
“He [the driver] drove around a couple of times. It looked suspicious, so officers decided to stop him,” said SDPD Lt. Cesar Jimenez.
Neighbor Jim Corbett was one of those asked to shelter-in-place.
“It’s a strange era we live in. So many people saying, bomb them, shoot them, or whatever. Who knows what it could have been? These things aren’t small anymore,” Corbett said.
Bomb squad members wearing full blast gear meticulously went through each compartment in the car.
They also deployed the robot, but it appeared on standby and was not used. From the car they took several items, including a black suitcase. They also tested an object that appeared to be a metal tube. Police said they did not find a bomb nor any explosive devices. Still, the car was impounded and the driver detained.
The suspicious car complaint came from the Islamic Center just before noon. Police were given a description of it.
In an email, Islamic Center Spokesperson Imam Taha wrote: “We were concerned earlier today at the Islamic Center of SD when a car passed several times in front of the Islamic Center. We provided the police with the license plate number. The whole thing is under investigation.”
“There has to be a major response to that. The Islamic Center is a great place,” Corbett said.
What police found in the car, and what the suspicious canister contained remains a mystery. It is another stark reminder of how susceptible places of worship can be.
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