Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Man Who Bought Rifles In San Bernardino Shooting Arrested

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Update: Enrique Marquez has been charged with conspiring to give material support to terrorists.

Enrique Marquez, the 24-year-old Riverside man who bought the assault rifles used in the San Bernardino shooting, has been arrested and will be charged in connection with the attack.

Federal officials told the L.A. Times on Thursday about the arrest, but did not specify what charges Marquez would be facing. He will be the first person charged in connection with the San Bernardino shooting.

Marquez purchased the assault rifles used by his childhood friend Syed Rizwan Farook and Farook's wife Tashfeen Malik in the attack that killed 14 people. Investigators say Farook asked Marquez to buy the guns because he felt that he could not pass a background check.

Marquez is married to the sister of Farook's sister-in-law in what friends believe is a sham marriage. The two were close friends, and Marquez was also a convert to Islam. The two reportedly planned on using the guns, purchased in 2011 and 2012, in an attack but scrapped the plans when three Inland Empire men were arrested for terrorism-related charges in 2012.

According to the New York Times, Marquez worked as a security guard at a local Walmart and also did odd jobs at a Riverside bar.

After the shootings he checked himself into a mental health facility and was later taken into the custody by authorities. Investigators say he has been cooperative and even waived his Miranda rights.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right