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.
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.
Feds: San Bernardino Gunwoman Pledged Allegiance To ISIS On Facebook
Law enforcement officers in San Bernardino after the mass shooting. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The woman who helped carry out Wednesday's mass shooting that killed 14 in San Bernardino pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a Facebook posting, federal officials say.
The Facebook posting—since taken down—sheds some light on what motivated Tashfeen Malik, 29, and her husband Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, to carry out an attack on Farook's coworkers at the San Bernardino County Health Department.
Federal officials told the New York Times that they believe the couple launched the attack on their own: "At this point we believe they were more self-radicalized and inspired by the group than actually told to do the shooting." The Times notes that Islamic terrorists often offer up an oath of allegiance called a bayat to declare their loyalty to the cause.
In the days before the shooting, the couple took pains to cover up their electronic tracks, federal officials say. That adds to the heap of evidence that the attack was premeditated.
Malik was from Pakistan, but most recently she had been living in Saudi Arabia. She entered the United States with a K-1 visa, also known as a fiancé visa. Farook traveled to Saudi Arabia frequently. In July of 2014, he came back married to Mailk—apparently after meeting her on a Muslim dating website. Together they had a six-month-old daughter. Coworkers had recently thrown a baby shower for Farook.
Related:
The Victims Of The San Bernardino Mass Shootings
Shooting Suspects Had Enough Weapons And Bombs For Another Attack
Thoughts And Prayers Aren't Working, Say Gun Control Advocates
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.
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
