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Syed Farook And Tashfeen Malik Had A Relationship

by Melissah Yang

Update: On Wednesday, Dec. 2, a shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California left 14 people dead and 21 wounded. Hours after the attack, police pursued information that led to a chase of a dark SUV, which was later determined to be a rental car. A shootout between police and the suspects left both suspects dead. They were identified as Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, who were husband and wife.

According to SBPD Chief Jarrod Burguan, the four guns used in the shooting were purchased legally. The suspects were found to have 1,600 rounds of ammunition with them, and at a home they were renting in Redlands, California, law enforcement officers found 4,500 rounds of ammunition and 12 pipe bombs. No official motive has been confirmed, though a source told The Los Angeles Times that investigators are considering that it might be terrorism or workplace-related.

Earlier: Late Wednesday evening, police confirmed the identities of two suspects in connection to a mass shooting at a community care center in San Bernardino, California. Police confirmed that 28-year-old Syed Farook and 27-year-old Tashfeen Malik were killed after they fled Inland Regional Center, leaving at least 14 people dead and 17 injured, and engaged in a gunfight with authorities in nearby Redlands. "It really looks like we have two shooters, and we're pretty comfortable that the two shooters that we believe went into the building are the two shooters that are deceased," Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said.

Burguan told reporters that Farook and Malik were in some kind of romantic relationship, but could not confirm whether they were married, engaged, or dating. According to The Los Angeles Times, co-workers of Farook, who worked for the county's public health department, said that he had recently traveled to Saudi Arabia and returned with a wife, living the "American Dream." The pair reportedly met online, and may have an infant child together. CNN reports that the couple left their six-month-old daughter with a grandmother. When news of the shooting broke, the grandmother could not get in touch with the pair.

During a press conference held by the Council on American–Islamic Relations, a man who identified himself as Farook's brother-in-law said that he was in shock at the news, and expressed his grief for the victims and their families. "I have no idea why he would he do something like this," said Farhan Khan. "I have absolutely no idea. I am in shock myself." Khan said he was married to Farook's sister, and that they had not talked with Farook in about a week.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.