Woman Who Caused San Diego Mosque Lockdown Posts Plea for Help

A woman identified as Ala Jaarah, who claimed to be an investigative journalist, sparked a lockdown at the Islamic Center of San Diego after reportedly experiencing a severe mental health crisis. Jaarah posted frantic videos on Instagram pleading for help while evading law enforcement.

Authorities were alerted to the situation at the mosque on Tuesday. While there were initial concerns that the woman might be armed, witnesses stated she spoke briefly with a security guard before leaving the premises in her vehicle. The incident prompted a wider police response, with schools in the vicinity also initiating lockdowns, and additional security measures being put in place at other mosques.

In a video posted to her Instagram account, Jaarah appeared to be running towards the mosque and told a security guard that someone was attempting to harm her. She claimed police were also trying to kill her because she was speaking about Palestine, stating, "I'm scared. I need protection." The video showed her running through the parking lot, urging people to "wake up."

By Tuesday afternoon, the San Diego Police Department confirmed that Jaarah was no longer in San Diego County and alerted law enforcement in other areas. The lockdown at the Islamic Center was subsequently lifted, and the center reopened for evening prayers.

Police are searching for Jaarah, who is believed to be driving a 2015 gray Toyota 4Runner with New York license plate KGN3027. She reposted news of the search on Instagram and shared a video of an interaction with San Diego police during a traffic stop, where she allegedly refused to roll down her window and then fled.

Later, Jaarah posted videos from outside the mosque early Wednesday, confronting a news reporter and accusing them of spreading false information. The reporter denied this, stating their presence was out of concern for the community.

Commenters on Jaarah's posts have suggested she is receiving mental health support, and the mosque reportedly invited her back. One comment alleged that San Diego police had received a cease-and-desist order regarding civil rights violations, with the commenter expressing support for Jaarah.

Disturbingly, Jaarah also posted a video from what appeared to be a store selling firearms and tactical gear, captioning it, "Get yourselves ready. Protect yourselves because no one is going to protect you."

The Islamic Center of San Diego was previously the site of a mass shooting on May 18, in which two individuals opened fire. That attack was motivated by anti-Muslim hate messages found on the perpetrators' weapons before they died by suicide. A 17-year-old student, Sarah Lindsey Santiago, was later charged in connection with that shooting.