President Obama on Saturday vowed that the United States “will not be terrorized” after a shooting this week in San Bernadino, Calif., left 14 dead and dozens injured.
Obama said the two suspected attackers — Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik — could have been radicalized, but said investigators are still working to get a full picture.
{mosads}“It is entirely possible that these two attackers were radicalized to commit this act of terror,” he said. “And if so, it would underscore a threat we’ve been focused on for years — the danger of people succumbing to violent extremist ideologies.
In his weekly address, the president echoed a previous call for Congress to close a loophole that allows people on the no-fly list to purchase guns. He also encouraged the country to work to help prevent people from becoming self radicalized — something that is hard for law enforcement to catch.
“We know that ISIL and other terrorist groups are actively encouraging people — around the world and in our country — to commit terrible acts of violence, often times as lone wolf actors,” he said.
Farook and Malik are suspected of killing 14 and injuring 21 in a shooting at a San Bernardino social center Wednesday, before being killed in a shootout with police.
Officials on Friday said the attacks were being investigated as an act of terrorism.
“We are Americans,” Obama said. “We will uphold our values — a free and open society. We are strong. And we are resilient. And we will not be terrorized.”