San Bernardino shootings: Two perpetrators identified (pics + vids from inside the center)

As many as three people killed at least 14 people and wounded another 17 during a Christmas party at a center for the disabled in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday. Three shooters, reportedly clad in military-style gear and masks, barged into the center and opened fired in the deadliest mass shooting to take place in the United States in three years.

At a press conference, San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said that there were two suspects killed during a shootout that followed a huge manhunt – one man and one woman. The man killed has been identified as Syed Farook, whereas the woman is Tashfeen Malik. Another suspect was detained after he was caught running near the shootout, however it was unclear if he was involved.

The motive of the attack is still unknown and terrorism hasn’t been ruled out, though the shooting may have been related to a workplace dispute. Burguan said the shooting was a premeditated act. “They came prepared to do what they did, as if they were on a mission,” he said.

An explosive device was found at the Inland Regional Center. The suspects threw something from the vehicle initially described as a pipe bomb, but it turned out not to be explosive. However, there was other “sensitive stuff” around the vehicle, so authorities were being cautious as they investigated.

From the scene

Syed Farook identified as one of the dead gunmen

The suspect killed during the shooting has been identified as Syed Farook, aged 28. A man who identified himself as Farouk’s father spoke with the New York Daily News. He described his son as a health technician inspecting restaurants and hotels. The man who says he is Farook’s father  described their relationship as estranged because he does not get along with his wife. Farook has been described as a religious man and a father with one child.

He is an American citizen and it is still unclear what his relationship to the other two shooters was. He was identified by a witness who had left the party taking place at the center before he returned with another person and began shooting. The witness said he matched the physical description of one of the shooters and was acting nervous before leaving.

“The person that was with him is a female. Her name is Tashfeen, last name Malik. She is 27 years old,” said Burguan.

“Based upon what we have seen and based upon how they were equipped, there had to be some degree of planning that went into this,” he said. “So I don’t think that he just ran home, put on these types of tactical clothes, grabbed guns and came back on a spur of the moment thing.”

Video from inside the building where the shooting took place

An employee who was in the building where the San Bernardino shooting took place Wednesday shared a video from the scene with KPCC.