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Calif. shooting suspects said to be living ‘American dream’

Syed Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino, mass shooting, muslim
GMA

Two suspects in Wednesday’s mass shooting that killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif., were a married couple with a child said to be living the “American dream.”   

{mosads}Syed Farook, 28, met Tashfeen Malik, 27, online and later traveled to Saudi Arabia for his new wife, The Los Angeles Times reported.  

“[They were] living the American dream,” Patrick Baccari, who worked as a county health inspector alongside Farook, told the Times.

“He never struck me as a fanatic. He never struck me as suspicious,” Griselda Reisinger, who also worked with Farook until last May, added.

Co-workers also told the newspaper Farook was a devout Muslim who rarely spoke about his faith at the office.

The Times reported that others characterized him as soft-spoken and polite, without any serious issues with co-workers.

Farhan Khan, Farook’s brother-in-law, expressed disbelief that he could have been involved in the violence.

“I cannot express how sad I am,” he said at an Islamic Center in Anaheim, Calif. “I have no idea why he would do that. I am in shock that something like this would happen. My condolences to those who lost their life.”

At least 14 people died and 17 others were injured when gunmen attacked the Inland Regional Center on Wednesday.  

San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said that evening that the suspects used military style rifles and handguns during the incident.

The suspects then fled in a vehicle to Redlands, Calif., where Farook and Malik were killed in a shootout with police.

A third person was detained after running from the scene, Burguan said, but it was not clear if that person was also involved.

Tags California Crime Guns San Bernardino San Bernardino shootings Shooting Syed Farook Tashfeen Malik

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