A deposit of $US28,500 ($39,221) was made into the bank account of California gunman Syed Farook two weeks before the shooting. This revelation comes in the wake of the FBI putting Farook’s dad on its watch-list.
Fox News reported that the deposit was made to Farook’s bank account two weeks before he and his wife went on the rampage. He immediately withdrew $US10,000 in cash from a local branch of Union Bank near his home in California.
In the days before the December 2 massacre there were three transfers of $5000 each to an account associated with Farook’s mother Rafia, sources close to the investigation told Fox News.
Investigators are trying to determine whether the November 18 transaction, made from Utah-based WebBank.com, was a loan.
It came as Farooks’ 66-year-old father was placed on the FBI’s terrorist watch list as investigators expanded their probe to include the killer’s family members and friends, federal law-enforcement sources said yesterday.
Farook’s dad, who is also named Syed, is being monitored by the FBI because of his son’s terrorist status and his own trips to Pakistan.
The elder Farook came to the United States in 1972, and became a US citizen in 1999.
“Farook, although he is dead, is now officially listed by the FBI as a terrorist,” a police source told The New York Post. “His father is watch-listed because of his close association to Farook and his extensive ties to Pakistan.”
After the massacre, the elder Farook tried to distance himself from his son, telling reporters, “His views were conservative. My views were liberal.”
Authorities also are investigating whether Farook’s mother, Rafia, knew about her son’s plot and stockpile of weapons before he and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people in San Bernardino.
“The mother definitely has exposure as a potential co-conspirator,” a law-enforcement source said. “We are trying to uncover any evidence of her possible involvement which could lead to charges.”
Another US official briefed on the matter said that people who knew Farook and Malik observed the couple change — but never reported their suspicions to law enforcement.
“There were people within their circle who saw them change — Farook especially — and no one said a word to the authorities,” the source said.
“This is of great concern to us. We need people to come forward and tell us when there is a change like this so we can do something.”
Meanwhile, Farook’s family issued an apology for his actions, just a few days after their lawyers insisted Malik was nothing but a “caring housewife.”
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| Under watch ... The 66-year-old father (left) of California jihadist Syed Rizwan Farook was placed on the FBI’s terrorist watch list. Picture: Reuters, Getty ImagesSource:Supplied |
Investigators are trying to determine whether the November 18 transaction, made from Utah-based WebBank.com, was a loan.
It came as Farooks’ 66-year-old father was placed on the FBI’s terrorist watch list as investigators expanded their probe to include the killer’s family members and friends, federal law-enforcement sources said yesterday.
Farook’s dad, who is also named Syed, is being monitored by the FBI because of his son’s terrorist status and his own trips to Pakistan.
The elder Farook came to the United States in 1972, and became a US citizen in 1999.
“Farook, although he is dead, is now officially listed by the FBI as a terrorist,” a police source told The New York Post. “His father is watch-listed because of his close association to Farook and his extensive ties to Pakistan.”
After the massacre, the elder Farook tried to distance himself from his son, telling reporters, “His views were conservative. My views were liberal.”
Authorities also are investigating whether Farook’s mother, Rafia, knew about her son’s plot and stockpile of weapons before he and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people in San Bernardino.
“The mother definitely has exposure as a potential co-conspirator,” a law-enforcement source said. “We are trying to uncover any evidence of her possible involvement which could lead to charges.”
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| Radicalised ... San Bernardino shooting suspect Syed Rizwan Farook told friends he ‘didn’t want to be in the United States’. Picture: ABC NewsSource:Supplied |
“There were people within their circle who saw them change — Farook especially — and no one said a word to the authorities,” the source said.
“This is of great concern to us. We need people to come forward and tell us when there is a change like this so we can do something.”
Meanwhile, Farook’s family issued an apology for his actions, just a few days after their lawyers insisted Malik was nothing but a “caring housewife.”
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| Aftermath ... Police investigate the crime scene in San Bernardino where 14 people were killed. Picture: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP.Source:AFP |
“We have co-operated with law enforcement and will continue to do so,” the statement continues.
“We understand there are many questions that need to be answered but right now, our hope and prayer is for peace and healing for the victims, their families, friends, and colleague, the entire community of San Bernardino, and those touched by these events throughout the state of California and our nation.”
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| Tragic ... A makeshift memorial at the site of the San Bernardino shootings. Picture: AFPSource:AFP |
