Police in California have said they are responding to an active shooter at a mosque in San Diego.

Authorities called on residents on Monday to avoid the area of the incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD).

There have been no official reports of casualties, but the Associated Press news agency cited officer Anthony Carrasco as saying that he believes people have been shot.

The police department said later on Monday that the threat had been “neutralised” without providing further details. “We have significant resources on scene at this time,” the department said.

Aerial television footage shows a heavy police presence outside the mosque.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said he is continuing to receive reports about the incident. “Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to protect the community and secure the area,” he wrote on X.

The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said he is following the situation and coordinating with local law enforcement agencies. “We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities,” the office said in a statement.

The ICSD is located in a residential area in the Clairemont neighbourhood of San Diego, north of the city’s downtown.

Police said they set up a reunification point for people in the area. The mosque posted on social media that children can be picked up from a nearby church.

More to come…