An active shooter opened fire at a San Diego mosque on Monday and police believe people have been shot, authorities said.

Police said the threat had been “neutralised”. Officer Anthony Carrasco said people reported multiple shots at the Islamic Centre of San Diego, about 14km (9 miles) north of downtown San Diego. It was unclear if the shooter had been outside or inside.

Carrasco said he did not have more information at the moment.

In a post on social media, Mayor Todd ‌Gloria said: “I ‌am aware of the active shooter situation at the ‌Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont and am continuing ⁠to receive updates from law enforcement. Emergency personnel are on scene ⁠and actively working to protect the community and secure the area.”

The Islamic Centre is the largest mosque in San Diego County, according to its website. The campus includes the Al Rashid School, which the website says offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran.

Aerial television footage showed more than a dozen children holding hands and being walked out of the car park of the centre that is surrounded by scores of police vehicles. The white mosque is in a neighbourhood of homes, flats and shops with Middle Eastern restaurants and markets.