Breaking: Los Angeles Police Search For Dark SUV After San Bernardino Shooting Kills 14
Updated
San Bernardino police are on the lookout for a dark SUV after one to three shooters stormed a conference building killing at least 14 people and wounding 14 others.
Early reports describe multiple shooters wearing military style clothing, possibly including body armor, entering the Inland Regional Center conference center, which serves people with disabilities, according to the Los Angeles Times.
No suspects are in custody and a massive manhunt is underway including the FBI and local law enforcement. The motive for the attack has yet to be determined.
The conference center had been rented out by an outside group, possibly the county health department having a holiday celebration, but it’s not confirmed who that group was.
Early reports indicate, up to three shooters may have fled the scene in a black or dark colored SUV and law enforcement is combing the area in a massive manhunt to apprehend the suspects.
At least 14 dead, 14 wounded in California shooting; suspects reportedly left scene in dark-colored SUV https://t.co/OIke2lYfEc
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 2, 2015
Police reports describe the weapons as “long guns,” not hand guns, although it’s not clear what specific type of weapon was used.
Law enforcement agencies armed with heavy weapons have been dispatched to secure nearby locations including hospitals and universities. Local government offices including city hall have been closed for security reason.
During a new conference televised on CNN Wednesday afternoon police asked the public to be on a high state of alert.
They came in with a purpose. They came prepared to do what they did as if they were on a mission.
Multiple law enforcement agencies arrived almost immediately after the 911 call and scoured the scene; they spent hours going to door to secure the massive campus where hundreds of people work.
Police used a robot to detonate a suspicious package although it’s not confirmed that a bomb was present.
Although details remain sketchy officials are already describing the attackers as prepped and prepared to escape. Speculation differs, but some experts are describing the attackers as domestic terrorists unhappy with the government not international terrorists intent on a suicide mission.
Police Chief: "They came prepared to do what they did as if they were on a mission" https://t.co/LL6o5JO3fk
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) December 2, 2015
The political debate has already begun with President Obama expressing his sympathy to the victims and their families and calling for increased gun control measures, according to CNN.
We have a pattern now of mass shootings in this country that has no parallel anywhere else in the world.
Even as police were conducting their door to door search to secure the campus Obama spoke in an interview calling for “common sense” gun laws including stronger background checks. He also floated the idea of barring people on the no-fly list from buying guns.
He called on bipartisan support from both parties in Congress to pass gun control laws in the coming days, according to ABC News.
Obviously our hearts go out to the victims and the families. So my hope is, is that we are able to contain this particular shooting, and we don’t yet know what the motives of the shooters are.
Although police say they’re looking for up to three individuals experts warn that number could change. It’s possible panicked witnesses mistook a single shooter for multiple attackers.
The San Bernardino police have promised to host press conferences at the top of every hour.
Hundreds of survivors have been interviewed by law enforcement and bussed to separate locations to make contact with their families.
The 14 wounded have been taken to local area hospitals.
Police first received the 911 call at approximately 11:00 a.m. informing them of an active shooter situation.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
