Couple Became Radicalized Well Before Shooting
The F.B.I. director said Wednesday that Mr. Farook and Ms. Malik had been talking of an attack as far back as two years ago. Federal investigators uncovered evidence that the couple were radicalized long before they got married in 2014. They have video evidence that the couple participated in target practice at ranges in the Los Angeles area and had even gone to a shooting range just days before the attack.
A Potential Link to Islamic Extremism
Officials have discovered a potential link to Islamic extremism, saying they believe Ms. Malik posted a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State on Facebook. They said there was no evidence the group had directed the couple to stage the attack, but the F.B.I. on Friday announced that there was enough evidence of “extensive planning,” and the case was being investigated as an act of terrorism.
50 deaths
Charleston
church
shooting
Deaths From Extremist Attacks
in the U.S. Since 9/11
40
Islamic extremists
San
Bernardino
shooting
Non-Islamic extremists
30
Wisconsin Sikh
temple shooting
20
Boston Marathon
bombing
10
Fort Hood
shooting
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2015
50 deaths
Deaths From Extremist Attacks
in the U.S. Since 9/11
Charleston
church shooting
San
Bernardino
shooting
40
Islamic extremists
Non-Islamic extremists
30
Wisconsin Sikh
temple shooting
20
Boston Marathon
bombing
10
Fort Hood shooting
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2015
Deaths From Extremist Attacks
in the U.S. Since 9/11
50
Islamic extremists
San
Bernardino
shooting
Non-Islamic extremists
40
30
Wisconsin Sikh
temple shooting
20
10
Fort Hood shooting
’02
’04
’06
’08
’10
’12
’15
The New York Times|Source: New America, a Washington research center that compiles extremist attacks. The group has added the San Bernardino attack to its list.
If investigators confirm the link, attacks by self-proclaimed Islamic jihadists will have killed 45 people in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001. Attacks by antigovernment, racist and other nonjihadist extremists have killed 48.
Recent Middle East Travels
Investigators are scrutinizing Mr. Farook and Ms. Malik’s travels for more clues into the motives behind the attack.
Mr. Farook, who was born in Illinois to Pakistani immigrant parents, traveled to Pakistan last year. Ms. Malik, who was born in Pakistan, had been living with her family in Saudi Arabia.
A member of an F.B.I. evidence response team enters a townhome in Redlands, Calif., linked to the shooting rampage. Robyn Beck/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
October 2013 Authorities believe that Mr. Farook went to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual pilgrimage known as the hajj, a congressional official said.
July 2014 Mr. Farook traveled to Saudi Arabia and returned to the United States with Ms. Malik. She entered on a Pakistani passport and a K-1 visa, a special visa for fiancés.
Sept. 30, 2014 Mr. Farook applied for a green card for Ms. Malik, a federal official said.
May 21, 2015 The couple’s daughter, Maryam Bint Rizwan, is born in Riverside, Calif.
July 2015 Ms. Malik was granted a conditional green card after passing criminal and national security background checks.
The Attack
Early Wednesday morning, the San Bernardino health department employees had gathered for an event in a conference room at the center, which provides services to disabled people. A police official said that Mr. Farook, a county health inspector, was at the event and left early.
San Bernardino
Golf Club
Inland
Regional
Center
Site of shooting
Conference center
Injured people
were treated here
People took shelter at a school for the blind
200 FEET
Inland
Regional
Center
San Bernardino
Golf Club
Site of shooting
Conference center
Injured people
were treated here
People took shelter at a school for the blind
200 FEET
Inland
Regional
Center
Site of shooting
Conference center
Injured people
were treated here
People took shelter at
a school for the blind
250 FEET
The New York Times; aerial image by Bing Maps
Attackers enter conference center
About 11 a.m., Mr. Farook returned with his wife, Ms. Malik. Dressed in combat gear, they entered the building’s east side and sprayed 65 to 75 rounds with assault rifles. A fire alarm was triggered, perhaps by a bullet, setting off the sprinklers.
Employees take shelter
People in nearby buildings sheltered in place, remaining hidden in their offices for two hours. About 550 people work at the complex on a typical day, according to an employee.
Police arrive
Within four minutes, the police began clearing the scene and evacuating the injured. They discovered an explosive on a table that had not detonated. Dozens of people fled and were directed by the police to a golf course across the street.
Attackers leave
The suspects had escaped. They were seen leaving in a black S.U.V., according to witnesses.
The Manhunt and the Shootout
After the shooting, the authorities acted on various tips that led them to the suspects.
The New York Times
After the attack
Investigators received a tip about a house 2 in nearby Redlands. They saw the suspects’ S.U.V. leave the home and pursued the vehicle.
Around 3 p.m.
Police reported shots fired 3 on local police scanner. At 3:16, an officer reported: “Suspect down.” The suspects fired 76 rifle rounds at the police.
Soon after
Local television stations showed Mr. Farook on the ground 3, not moving, near a black S.U.V. riddled with bullet holes. Ms. Malik was shot dead in the car, where police discovered 1,600 unused rounds.
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Two suspects in S.U.V.
were killed.
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Police vehicles
Body of a suspect
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Two suspects in S.U.V.
were killed.
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Police vehicles
Body of a suspect
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Two suspects in S.U.V.
were killed.
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Body of a suspect
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Two suspects in S.U.V.
were killed.
Heavily-armed
police in tactical gear.
Body of a suspect
Police in
tactical gear.
Two suspects in S.U.V.
were killed.
Police in
tactical gear.
Body of a suspect
Police in
tactical
gear.
Two suspects
in S.U.V.
were killed.
Police in
tactical
gear.
Body of a suspect
The New York Times; composite image from KABC video
The bullet-riddled black S.U.V where the suspects were killed in a gunfight with police.
KABC
More Days With Mass Shootings Than Not
In 209 out of 336 days this year, at least one shooting left four or more people injured or dead in the United States, according to compilations derived from news reports.
= One mass shooting
JAN.
FEB.
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
Shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.
JULY
AUG.
SEPT.
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
= One mass shooting
JAN.
FEB.
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG.
SEPT.
Shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
= One mass shooting
JAN.
FEB.
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
Shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.
JULY
AUG.
SEPT.
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
The New York Times|Source: Mass Shooting Tracker