SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Police in Somerset County are stepping up enforcement at houses of worship following a deadly shooting at an Islamic center in California on Monday.
Somerset County Sheriff Darrin Russo announced that the Somerset County Sheriff's Office has increased law enforcement resources specifically at houses of worship and sensitive locations joining local, state and federal partners.
"There is no specific threat to our region but we ask that you report suspicious actitivies to law enforcement immediately. No one should have to worship in fear!" said Russo.
On Monday, five people, including two teenage suspects, died after the teens allegedly engaged in a shooting rampage at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Officers arrived within four minutes of a reported shooting to find three men dead outside the mosque at the center at 7050 Eckstrom Ave. in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Authorities said the two suspects, 17 and 18, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a nearby car. Muslim hate speech was written on their firearms, and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime, officials added.
More from Patch: 5 Dead, Including 2 Teen Suspects, In San Diego Mosque Shooting
State officials also stepped up enforcement following the shooting as a precaution.
"We are horrified by the deadly shooting today at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and we join together with those in California and across the country in offering our condolences to the families affected by this senseless tragedy," Attorney General Davenport said. "No one should ever fear for their life in a place of worship, and we must stand together in rejecting hate and violence in our communities."
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