Craziness in So California’s Inland Empire

DEVELOPING: As many as a dozen people have reportedly been killed in what police call an active shooter situation Wednesday in San Bernardino, Calif., where SWAT teams were pursuing three suspects who may have escaped in an SUV.

As many as 30 hostages were seen coming out of the building, a center for treating developmentally disabled people, near a public golf course where the event occurred. The local Fox TV affiliate said at least 12 fatalities occurred inside the building, which was surrounded by authorities, just before noon local time.

When I heard it was three or more shooters, I went from “crazy loon” to “gang” — (this is a very active gang area). When #1 daughter was a paramedic, this area was part of her regular territory and there were times she was escorted by police on runs because of gang threats against any uniformed personnel.

Now there are some unconfirmed reports that the shooters may have been wearing body armor and dressed in some sort of uniforms and possible explosive devices., so now gang is possibly off the table and I’m leaning towards terrorism.

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More reports that multiple shooters in ski masks entered the Inland Valley Regional Center and immediately opened fire.

A black SUV was seen leaving the area, police searching for it to see if any connection.

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San Berdo Sheriff’s department is sending officers to monitor all county buildings.

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North building now cleared. No shooters in custody. Police have used a robot to detonate a device found in one of the buildings.

More here

I need to get back to work, but if I hear anything I can share, I will.

Please pray for the victims — the ERs at Loma Linda University and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center have been receiving the vics — both have top notch trauma centers.

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6:44 pm PST: Just arrived home from work (my courthouse had officers in the parking lots and near the entrances this afternoon) … NBC is identifying Syed Farook. My LEOs are saying he is a county employee at Dept of Behavioral Health (which was having a holiday party at the Regional Center). The other suspect is Farook’s brother, woman not yet identified.

Huge clue that this is terrorism — FBI has not immediately ruled terrorism out.