(12/3/2015) SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.—At least two shooters stormed a holiday gathering for county employees here Wednesday, killing at least 14 people in the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in the past three years, authorities said.
Two of the suspects—a man and a woman—were killed in a gun battle with police after authorities found them, acting on a tip that led them to a home in nearby Redlands, Calif., Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said.
The pair were dressed in “assault-style clothing” and “armed with assault rifles and handguns,” he said. A third person, who may or may not be involved in the shooting, was in custody Wednesday night, he added.
Police said witnesses gave a similar description of the attackers at the employee party.
“They came prepared to do what they did, as if they were on a mission,” Mr. Burguan said.
The prime suspect in the attack is Syed Farook, officials familiar with the investigation said. Public records show he worked for San Bernardino County’s Public Health Department until at least May as a health inspector, examining restaurants. The health department is the county agency that was hosting the event where the shooting occurred.
Mr. Farook, a U.S. citizen, traveled to Saudi Arabia last year, according to government records. Authorities don’t automatically attach any importance to that trip, but they are investigating his background, the officials said.
David Bowdich, assistant director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation’s Los Angeles office, said terrorism “is a possibility, but we don’t know that yet, and we’re not willing to go down that road yet.”
Mr. Farook’s brother in law, Farhan Khan, said during a news conference held by Muslim leaders in Orange County, Calif. Wednesday evening that he was shocked by Mr. Farook’s alleged actions.
“I cannot express how sad I am about what happened,” said Mr. Khan, who is married to Mr. Farook’s sister, adding, “I am in shock that something like this could happen.”
He spoke in a barely-audible voice and appeared stunned. He declined to provide additional details about Mr. Farook.
