Tragedy Strikes San Bernardino - 14 Dead and 21 Wounded

The trauma of mass shootings has come to the Inland Empire landing in San Bernardino and Redlands. At about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, two masked people believed to be Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik opened fire in San Bernardino at a Christmas party in the Inland Regional Center, police said. The shooting sent shock waves throughout the nation. Another senseless mass shooting has murdered 14 and wounded 21 innocent people in the quiet suburbs. Law enforcement believes the couple had more damage planned. “Clearly they were equipped and they could have continued to do another attack,” said San Bernardino City Police Chief Jarrod Burguan. The FBI has declared the motive for the shootings to be terrorism and on Friday, Dec. 4, they announced they are assuming a leadership role in the investigation into the mass shooting that occurred last week in San Bernardino. “This is now a federal terrorism investigation, led by the FBI,” said Director James Comey, speaking to reporters at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was joined by Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “The reason for that,” Comey said, “is that the investigation so far has developed indications of radicalization by the killers and of the potential inspiration by foreign terrorist organizations.” The Bureau’s work, however, continues in close cooperation with our federal, state, and local partners. Comey cautioned that it is early in the investigation, “but so far, there is no indication that these killers are part of an organized larger group.” He added that hundreds of FBI personnel are following leads all over the world. “We are trying to understand the motives of these killers and trying to understand every detail of their lives.” “Our hearts continue to ache for the people lost and wounded in San Bernardino and their families,” Comey said, echoing Lynch’s earlier sentiments to keep the victims and their families “in our prayers.” President Obama offered his deepest condolences for those that have been affected by this terrible tragedy. “Rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this,” said President Obama. In his speech to the nation on Sunday Night President Obama laid out his plan to defeat the terrorist. “Well, here’s what I want you to know: The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us. Our success won’t depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values, or giving into fear. That’s what groups like ISIL are hoping for. Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless, and by drawing upon every aspect of American power," said President Obama. “Words can’t describe how saddened and horrified we are about this tragedy. Our hearts go out to the victims,” said San Bernardino Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos. He added, “The Board of Supervisors is monitoring the situation and is in communication with law enforcement. The County has taken precautions to protect the public and County employees.” Non-essential County buildings were closed the Thursday and Friday following the shooting. County employees who were working within the City of San Bernardino were sent home on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Security has been provided at County facilities within the city as a precaution. Mayor Carey Davis said, "I pray that our community will join hands in an effort to uplift and support those who suffered loss, fear, and shock. We will continue to be safe and secure city in California." “We condemn this horrific and revolting attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured,” said Council on American-Islamic Relations Los Angeles Executive Director Hussam Ayloush. “The Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans in repudiating any twisted mindset that would claim to justify such sickening acts of violence.” List of those murdered in the San Bernardino Terrorist Attacks Aurora Godoy, 26, San Jacinto Bennetta Bet-Badal, 46, Rialto Damian Meins, 58, Riverside Harry Bowman, 46, Upland Isaac Amanios, 60, Fontana Juan Espinoza, 50, Highland Larry Kaufman, 42, Rialto Michael Wetzel, 37, Lake Arrowhead Nicholas Thalasinos, 52, Colton Robert Adams, 40, Yucaipa Shannon Johnson, 45, Los Angeles Sierra Clayborn, 27, Moreno Valley Tin Nguyen, 31, Santa Ana Yvette Velasco, 27, Fontana What happened? According to police reports, Farook was at a holiday party given by the San Bernardino County Department of Health when he abruptly got up and angrily left the party. He came back later with his wife dressed in black holding automatic rifles and hand guns, and started shooting. Authorities also found three pipe bombs attached together and equipped with a remote control. The device apparently failed to detonate. Four high-capacity rifle magazines were also left behind at the scene. Farook worked as an environmental specialist for five years at San Bernardino County Department of Health. He is a graduate of Cal State San Bernardino and a U.S. citizen born in the United States. Farook’s wife, Malik, is from Pakistan. He met here on a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this year. The couple was married this year and shortly after, had a child. Ayloush, says the couple left their baby with family Wednesday morning and never returned. A witness says he saw a black SUV pull slowly away from a Southern California social services center where gunmen opened fire as people ran frantically from the building. After the shooting Farook and Malik went to a home they rented in Redlands for a few hours then left, still dressed in black with their weapons. Tips led authorities to the home and police watched the residence and saw the couple leave while waiting for a search warrant. San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan reported that an SUV was seen leaving the residence earlier, leading to a police pursuit and a gun battle that killed the two suspects. Farook and Malik had 1,600 rifle and 9-millimeter rounds with them during final pursuit with police. Twenty-three officers from seven agencies were involved in the final shootout, and officers fired 380 rounds at the suspects. Suspects fired 76 rounds at officers. Police say that, twelve pipe bombs, 2,000 nine-millimeter rounds and 2,500 .223 rounds were found at a home the suspects were renting in Redlands. Also found, according to officials, were “hundreds of tools, many of which could be used to construct IEDs or pipe bombs.” Law enforcement officials believe the threat is over and there is no credible information of additional threats. At this time Farook and Malik have no known criminal record. The FBI is in possession of a large volume of electronic evidence that belonged to the husband and wife shooters. Comey said the couple tried to conceal and destroy electronic evidence before they were killed in a shootout with police Wednesday. Comey assured the public that the FBI is working as fast as it can to find answers. “We aspire to do it quickly,” he said, “but we most of all aspire to do it well and do it carefully.” The Lost but Not Forgotten The following people lost their lives as a result of the shooting: • Robert Adams, 40 • Isaac Amanios, 60 • Bennetta Betbadal, 46 • Harry Bowman, 46 • Sierra Clayborn, 27 • Juan Espinoza, 50 • Aurora Godoy, 26 • Shannon Johnson, 45 • Larry Daniel Kaufman, 42 • Damian Meins, 58 • Tin Nguyen, 31 • Nicholas Thalasinos, 52 • Yvette Velasco, 27 • Michael Wetzel, 37 Effect on the Community People in San Bernardino and the surrounding areas are shocked that a mass shooting occurred so close to home. Some kept their children home from school the following day. Some didn't go to work. Others continued on as usual. "I can't believe this has happened to us," said Jennifer Yust of San Bernardino. The are many local memorials planned and held for the victims of the terrorist act in San Bernardino. Other groups have come to the Inland Regional Center to pray. Pastor Marty Hooper, Jesse Ruiz, and Raul Ramos came from Riverside’s Harvest Church to pray for the victims. Ramos’s cousin Evett Velasco died in the shooting. “We saw the need out hear with a lot of hurting people. That’s what we do. We are the church. We want people to know that we love them and God loves them and we are going to support them the best way we can,” said Pastor Hooper. “Loma Linda University Medical Center personnel were notified by area law enforcement that multiple gun shots had been fired on Wednesday morning, Dec. 2, at a San Bernardino County-owned building about three miles from the Medical Center,” said LLUMC’s Media Relations Specialist Briana Pastorino. The emergency room received five adult patients during the day. Throughout the day the Medical Center worked to ensure the safety of all patients and employees. On Wednesday at around 2:40 p.m., a code yellow bomb threat was called in for Loma Linda University Medical Center. Employees followed the hospital-established protocols. Loma Linda University classes were cancelled and students are encouraged to leave public areas of the campus. “We are working with law enforcement to proactively screen the LLUMC campus including interior and exterior areas to ensure the safety of our staff and patients,” said Pastorino. As of Thursday, “The entire campus is back at normal operations. All scheduled university Thursday classes will meet with no alterations in the schedule. The Medical Center's operations have returned to normal. The emergency department is receiving new patients, and no areas of the facility are operating under any restrictions,” said Pastorino. Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton was on lockdown Wednesday as six victims were brought into the trauma center. Police and SWAT officers in full riot gear stood at guard outside the ER and hospital entrances. All San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) schools and offices were on lockdown Wednesday afternoon but opened and were operating during normal hours on Thursday, Dec. 3 and Friday Dec. 4. Classes are in session, and all school bus transportation services are operating as scheduled. CAPS (Creative Afterschool Programs for Success) and other after-school clubs and activities will be in session. SBCUSD Police and campus security officers are on high alert after the mass shooting. SBCUSD Police officers are sworn law enforcement officers with the same level of training as any local police force. SBCUSD campus security officers are assigned at all high schools and middle schools as part of standard policy and procedure. Schools are operating under lockout procedures. Under a lockout, all classroom doors and campus entry points remain locked, except for the main office entrance. Unlike lockdown procedures, students and staff are allowed to move between classrooms and buildings and limited outdoor periods. If you see something say something is a said by anyone with info regarding the #ActiveShooter incident in #SanBernardino who would like to remain anonymous is encouraged to call We-Tip at 1-800-78-Crime.