FBI: San Bernardino Shooters Were Radicalized At Least 2 Years Ago
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com/AP) — New evidence has revealed that both San Bernardino shooters were radicalized even before they met online, the FBI said Wednesday.
According to FBI Director James Comey, Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, became radicalized at least two years ago and had discussed jihad and martyrdom as early as 2013.
Comey told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Farook and Malik were inspired by foreign terror organizations and described them as "homegrown violent extremists."
Malik's father said he regrets his daughter's actions and condemns them.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials report they both pledged their allegiance to ISIS before they opened fire within the conference room at the Inland Regional Center (IRC), located in the 1300 block of South Waterman Avenue.
Prior to carrying out the deadly attacks, Farook and Malik took target practice at area gun ranges, federal officials added.
According to the N.Y. Post, Farook's 66-year-old father, Syed Farook Sr., has been placed on the FBI's terror watch list due to making his own trips to Pakistan and his son's terrorist status.
Sources have also told CNN Farook aspired to attack a specific target in California with a conspirator in 2012. For some reason, the duo became spooked and never carried out their plans.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: San Bernardino Shooting
Federal officials are questioning Farook's former neighbor, Enrique Marquez, who legally purchased the rifles used in the shooting massacre.
CBS News on Wednesday reported that the Justice Deptartment is looking to charge Marquez with providing material support for terrorism.
The guns, which were purchased between 2007 and 2012, were allegedly reconfigured to be more powerful after they were purchased in California.
According to the Press Enterprise, wedding records show Marquez married one of Farook's sisters.
Farook and Malik came into the U.S. in July 2014. Pakistani-born Malik entered the country on a K-1 visa.
The couple later married and had their first child together, who now remains in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
The disclosure that the couple was radicalized for some time before the attack suggests the government's vetting process failed when Malik applied for the visa.
"After this hearing today, every American will be asking the question, how did this woman come in on a fiancée visa?" said Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat and member of the committee.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has said the Obama administration is now reviewing the program. He did not say what changes were being considered.
CBS News has learned Farook received a $28,500 loan from online lender Prosper prior to carrying out the deadly attacks. Investigators say the married couple may have planned to use that money to assist their 6-month-old daughter who was left behind. Officials are now working to follow the money.
For the past week, members of the San Bernardino community have comforted each other as investigators continue to search for clues into the motive behind the deadly shooting.
The director of the FBI in Los Angeles privately met with the victims' families around 11 a.m. to offer support and information about the investigation.
First responders spoke publicly for the first time about their experiences during the attacks on Tuesday.
On the morning on Dec. 2, Farook and Malik carried in legally purchased semiautomatic weapons, along with handguns, into the IRC and opened fire on San Bernardino County Department of Public Health employees during their holiday banquet.
Fourteen people were killed and 22 others were injured in the attack.
Following the massacre, Farook and Malik were fatally shot during a stand-off with police in the city of Redlands.
Authorities seized AR15 style rifles, two pistols, thousands of caliber rounds, a large arsenal of explosive devices made from Christmas tree lights and radio-controlled toys and digital evidence including thumb drives.
The Coroner's Office has identified all of the deceased victims. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced for the deceased victims.
Officials continue to stress that there is no credible threat of danger to the community at this time.
Officials said two IRC buildings won't re-open until next year at the earliest. The building where the shooting took place will remain closed indefinitely, according to CBS News.
The FBI has established a national hotline for the public to report any suspicious activity. Please call (800) 225-5324 and select option four.
Arrowhead United Way and the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have set up a relief fund. To make a donation, send a text message stating "SBUNITED" to 71777. Checks may be made payable to SBUNITED and mailed to Arrowhead United Way, 646 North D St., San Bernardino, CA 92401.
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