Justice

The Latest Update on the San Bernardino Terrorists

December 7th 2015

The husband and wife duo that carried out a deadly mass shooting last week in San Bernardino, California "were radicalized and have been for quite some time," according to FBI officials. 

Authorities also said Syed Farook's coworkers had undergone active shooter training one year prior in the same room the couple massacred 14 people and injured 21 others, the Associated Press reported. 

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The announcement sheds some light on the backgrounds of the killers, whose motives for the attack remain elusive, but likely include at least some influence from radical terrorist groups like the self-proclaimed Islamic State

"The question for us is how, and by whom, and where were they radicalized? Maybe there's not a by whom," said David Bowdich, assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles office on Monday. "Oftentimes it's not on the internet, and we don't know." 

"Right now we're looking at these two individuals," he said, "and we are beginning to focus, to build it out from there." 

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Bowdich did not say what led bureau officials to believe Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik had been radicalized before last week's attack, though he did say the couple had gone to target practice at shooting ranges in the Los Angeles area within days of the attack. 

An FBI spokesperson told ATTN: that the bureau had evidence indicating the couple's radicalization, but declined to comment on any specifics, citing an ongoing investigation. 

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The agency is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Officials said also 19 pipes fitted for bomb-making materials had been found at the couple's Redlands home, and could have been detonated with the proper equipment. 

On Monday, medical officials said at least half of those injured in last week's attacks had left the hospital, according to the AP. 

Related: How terror suspects on the no-fly list can legally buy guns 

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