California shooting: Brother-in-law of suspected gunman speaks of sadness and shock over Christmas party massacre

Farhan Khan, whose brother Sayed Farook was killed in a shoot out with police following the massacre, spoke out at a press conference

Fox News

Sadness: Farhan Khan, brother-in-law of suspect Sayed Farook

The brother-in-law of the suspected gunman behind the deaths of 14 people at a disabled centre's Christmas party has expressed his sadness and shock.
Farhan Khan, whose relative Sayed Farook was killed in a shoot out with police following the California massacre, spoke out at a press conference.
“The reason I am here is to express [for] my family... how sad they are for what happened,” said Mr Khan, who said he was the husband of one of the male suspect’s sisters.
“I’m very sad people lost their lives and there are victims out there.
“I have no idea why would he do that. Why would he do something like this. I have absolutely no idea.
“I’m in shock myself.”
Khan declined to comment when asked if his brother-in-law was religious.
He gave the statement flanked by leaders of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who have condemned the violence.

Response: Armed police officers respond at the scene

The gunman and his female accomplice stormed the Inland Regional Centre in San Bernardino, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, at 11am.
Within minutes of unloading their high powered rifles the killers left and were shot dead by cops during a heavy gun battle.
SWAT teams located the suspects after their black SUV was reported at a house in the city Redlands close to where the shootings occurred in San Bernardino.
As the two sped away from police heading back towards the scene of the killings they threw pipe bombs out of the window before firing at police.

REUTERS

Battle: Police armoured cars close in on a suspect vehicle following a shooting incident in San Bernardino

Police have now formally named the suspects killed by police at Syed Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik 27.
Detectives said the couple were either married or engaged.

REUTERS

Relief: A woman weeps at the Rudy Hernandez Community Center as she waits for a relative who was not injured after the shooting rampage

After their vehicle came to a stop a fierce battle then broke out lasting, according to witnesses, “for 10 minutes”.
The officer who initially apprehended the pair was injured and taken to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Armed police and armoured vehicles were captured on live television surrounding the black SUV a mile and a half from the Inland Regional Centre where the mass shooting occurred.

REUTERS/NBCLA.com/Handout

Massacre: Rescue crews tend to the injured

Later helicopter TV crews captured the moment the male suspect's body was dragged from the back seat on to road.
Sources say investigators believe the attack was carried out in connection with a prior altercation at the centre.
One of the killers is thought to have had an argument with someone in the building before later returning to carry out a well-planned attack.

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Death: 14 people were killed in the rampage

The killers left a number of suspicious devices in the building one which was understood to be an improvised explosive device.
Police were last night hunting for a third suspect they believe took part in the attack.
Another man was in police custody although authorities said they were unsure if he had taken part.
The head of California’s FBI bureau David Bowdich said it was too early to class it as an act of terrorism put he said there were some indications it could have been the cause.
“I am still not willing to say if we know that for sure,” he said.
“It is a possibility but we don’t know that yet and we’re not willing to go down that road yet.”

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