Suspects identified in San Bernardino mass shooting; brother-in-law reacts



SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.  -- The San Bernardino police chief Wednesday night identified the two suspects in a mass shooting there as Syed Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Melik, 27, who were both killed in a shootout with police.

Chief Jarrod Burguan said at a news conference that  Farook was U.S. born, but he said he did not know about Melik. He said they were either married or in a relationship, and had a residence in nearby Redlands, Calif.

The police chief confirmed that Farook worked for the San Bernardino County Health Department as an environmental health specialist and had worked there for five years. He said Farook had gone to the holiday party at the Inland Regional Center Wednesday morning but left "angry," according to one witness.

Police believe Farook and Melik returned to the center and opened fire. Burguan said they were armed with a .223 caliber assault rifle (dpms model 815, other TK), and both armed with semiautomatic handguns.

"I think that what we have seen and how they were equipped, there had to be some degree of planning in this," Burguan said. But he added that police still do not know the motive for the shooting. He added that authorities have not yet ruled out terrorism.

A third person was detained close to the scene of the shootout, but it is possible he is not connected to the shootings, Burguan said.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of Council on American-Islamic Relations for Greater L.A., said at a news conference, "We unequivocally condemn the horrific act that happened today ... we stand in mourning and sadness for what happened."

Also at the news conference was Farhan Khan, brother-in-law of suspect Sayed Farook. He said he hadn't spoken to him in about about week.

"I am in shock" ... Why would he do something like this? I have absolutely no idea," Khan said.

He declined to answer any more questions, citing the ongoing investigation.