The FBI has not been able to figure out the whereabouts of two attackers for a span of 18 mystery minutes during the San Bernardino terror attack Dec. 2, leading to pleas for public support.
Attackers Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik’s actions on December 2 have been documented with the assistance of 29 search warrants and 550 interviews, yet still 18 minutes between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. remain unaccounted for. The time frame of mystery activity is 12:59 p.m. to 1:17 p.m.
FBI special agent David Bowdich emphasized the potential importance of the 18 minutes at a Tuesday press conference according to KPCC local radio. “It’s possible that they stopped at a storage area, a residence or a business. It’s possible there was a contact made” with an accomplice.
Farook and Malik occupied/drove a rented black Ford Expedition SUV during the four hour period. According to the FBI, “At 12:59p.m., the suspects are believed to have been in the area where the 10 Freeway intersects with the 215 Freeway. At 1:17p.m., the suspects are believed to have been in the area of the Waterman exit at the 10 Freeway.”
11:00 a.m. — the beginning of the four hour time block — is marked as the approximate time that Farook and Malik fled the Inland Regional Center scene of the attacks that left 14 dead and 22 injured.
3:00 p.m. marks the approximate time of a shootout between the married couple and law enforcement that left the two terrorists dead.
Traffic and surveillance cameras, witness accounts and “other techniques” contributed to details of the terrorists’ whereabouts during the investigation that has followed the attacks. It is believed the two did not leave the San Bernardino and Redlands regions.
The following is a basic documentation of Farook and Malik’s whereabouts on December 2 as provided by the FBI:
SUV departed residence at 8:37 a.m.
SUV arrived IRC 8:47 a.m.
SUV departed IRC 10:37 a.m.
SUV returned to IRC at approximately 10:56 a.m.
SUV located at Lake Seccombe at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Missing timeline: 12:59 p.m. – 1:17 p.m.
Law enforcement located SUV/suspects at approximately 2:52 p.m.
Officers-Involved Shooting occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m.
The FBI is making an appeal, “urging anyone who may have images or video of the suspects on December 2, 2015 that may account for the missing 18 minutes of the timeline, or may be otherwise significant, to contact the FBI at 1 800 CALL FBI (1 800 225-5324) and choose option number 4 when prompted.”
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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