After the shooting began, San Bernardino Police Department Lt. Richard Lawhead said that their SWAT team happened to be conducting training nearby. The team was suited, “ready to roll” and responded rapidly, Lawhead said.
What makes this noteworthy is that this is not the first time that emergency drills for the exact scenario unfolding were taking place at virtually the same moment the actual terrorist attacks began.
Paris-area emergency personnel and ambulance crews were taking part in a simulated emergency exercise on the very same day the Paris terrorist attacks took place.
During the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) was in the midst of a training exercise called Vigilant Guardian, which “coincidentally” simulated planes being hijacked by terrorists.
The Free Thought Project has heard from a source on the ground, that the target inside the Inland Regional Center was a gathering of government officials. This was confirmed by KTLA and Marybeth Feild, president and CEO of the Inland Regional Center, told the Associated Press that “the incident is in the conference area” at the center rented by an outside group, which she couldn’t identify.
As of 4:15 EST on Wednesday, the reason behind these tragic shootings and the identity the shooters remains unknown. We will keep updating this article as we find new information.
Update: (4:22 EST) The Loma Linda Level 1 trauma center in the area has only taken in 4 victims and expect 3 more, 2.5 hours after the shooting.
Update: (5:42 EST) Fourteen people were killed and about 14 were hospitalized with injuries after up to three shooters opened fire with long guns inside the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino Wednesday, according to the city’s police chief.
“Up to three people had entered the building and opened fire on people inside the building,” Burguan said. “Information that I think is probably the most reliable at this point is that the suspects have fled, potentially in a dark-colored SUV.”
Update: (8:00 EST) Obama calls for gun control in wake of shooting.
Update: (8:40 EST) Two suspects, 1 male, 1 female, dead at scene. Suspects had assault rifles, handguns. Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/breaking-swat-team-drill-turns-real-mass-shooting-scenario-san-bernadino-ca/#eYWihZcgAWvSYa8h.99
Update: (9:16 EST) Despite multiple online rumors of the shooter being an immigrant or refugee, a federal law enforcement source said they believe the lead shooter to be a U.S. Citizen.
Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/breaking-swat-team-drill-turns-real-mass-shooting-scenario-san-bernadino-ca/#eYWihZcgAWvSYa8h.99
Update: (9:26 EST) Law enforcement officials have identified Syed Farook as one of the suspected shooters who attacked a center for the disabled in San Bernardino, California, according to NBC News.
Farook, who also went by his middle name, Raheel, was a business taxes representative for the California State Board of Equalization, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is a 2003 graduate La Sierra High School, and most recently studied finance at California State University Fullerton until 2013.
Records show Farook bought a two bedroom Corona home in March 2014. Farook’s social media profile shows he is married and has at least one young child. His wife did not return messages left on Wednesday, according to the Daily Beast.
