Mystery still surrounds the couple that carried out the Islamic terror attacks in San Bernardino that killed 14, and the FBI is still haunted by questions. Were there accomplices and what was planned for unused bombs found in the couple’s apartment?
FBI Los Angeles chief David Bowdich told the Associated Press that the most worrisome question is whether husband and wife team Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik had accomplices in the December 2 attacks, but that’s not the only mystery that remains unsolved. Bowdich also asked, “Was anyone else involved, was more violence planned ,and why was the attack site chosen?”
“We’re interested in anyone who we find had anything to do with this, anyone who turned their head, anyone who participated in any form or fashion in this,” Bowdich said. “We are not looking past anyone at this point.” Authorities have stated that Malik allegedly posted allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State online the day of the attacks, then removed the post.
Adding to the mystery is why Farook and Malik chose the Christmas party — referred to in the report as an annual training of co-workers — when they could have chosen a more populous venue with more potential for damage.
Farook’s friend, Islamic convert Enrique Marquez, now stands charged with planning high-casualty terror attacks with Farook in 2012. He has also been indicted as the straw purchaser of two rifles used in the San Bernardino attack. Compound that with the fact that Farook and Malik held a stockpile of weapons, including 19 pipes left in the couple’s garage, Bowdich questioned, “What was their intent following that?” He was referring to the December 2 attacks.
18 missing minutes remain unaccounted for in Farook and Malik’s day following the attacks. Bowdich told the AP that the FBI has received many tips, but is not releasing any details.
Malik came to the U.S. on a fiancêe visa. She traveled from Pakistan to the states in July 2014. Initial media reports had insinuated that Malik may have radicalized Farook. It wasn’t long before it was clear that the two had intentions to commit Islamic terror attacks long before they got together.
Leaders at Farook’s mosque have attempted to distance themselves from the terrorist, but details of regular communication between one of the mosque’s clerics, Roshan Abbassi, and Farook has evidenced otherwise. Breitbart News reported from inside the Dar Al Uloom Islamiyah mosque denoted as Tablighi Jamaat (TJ), where the leaders claimed a more peaceful stance. Breitbart London Editor-In-Chief Raheem Kassam reported on the group known in some circles as the “Army of Darkness.”
In late December it was revealed that a British Muslim family stopped at London’s Gatwick airport were tied to the same San Bernardino mosque. The men had claimed they were headed off on a trip to Disneyland, but it was discovered that a family member of the men had attended the Dar Al Uloom mosque.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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