GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the "News Hour."

As we come on the air tonight, we're following a developing story out of San Diego, an attack at an Islamic center.

AMNA NAWAZ: Police officials say three adult males were killed, including a security guard.

They also say the two teenage suspects, believed to be 17 and 19 years old, were later found dead, apparently from self-inflicted gunshots.

There was a massive police response this afternoon at the center located about nine miles north of downtown San Diego.

The site also houses a school.

And, as the situation unfolded, children could be seen being escorted to safety.

At a press conference this afternoon, San Diego's police chief thanked law enforcement for their efforts, especially when it came to those kids.

SCOTT WAHL, San Diego, California, Police Chief: I cannot express the gratitude, the willingness to step into harm's way, and I tell you what got me, watching the kids come running out just thankful to be alive.

GEOFF BENNETT: At that same press conference, the center's imam called this a time of sorrow and a time of sadness.

IMAM TAHA HASSANE, Islamic Center of San Diego: We have never experienced a tragedy like this before.

It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship.

Our Islamic Center is a place of worship.

People come to the Islamic Center to pray, to celebrate, to learn, not only Muslims, but we have people from all walks of life.

GEOFF BENNETT: Officials say they're treating the shooting as a hate crime until proven otherwise.

AMNA NAWAZ: Today's shooting comes at a time of heightened concerns across a number of religious institutions.

In March, a man attacked a synagogue outside Detroit with a truck before dying in a confrontation with security guards.