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Thursday 03 Dec 2015 - 11:52 Makkah mean time-21-2-1437
 San Bernardino, California (IINA) - California's Muslim community expressed its horror on Wednesday at the mass shooting that killed at least 14 in San Bernardino, after a local Muslim man was widely identified as a suspect, according to media reports.
Syed Farook, a US citizen who worked for the town's health department, is believed to have been killed in a shootout with police hours after opening fire inside a Christmas party at a local social services center.
Executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Hussam Ayloush said its members "unequivocally condemn the horrific act that happened today."
"The Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans in repudiating any twisted mindset that would claim to justify such sickening acts of violence," he added in a statement.
Authorities have drawn no connection between the attack and extremism at this stage in the investigation.
Farook's brother-in-law, Farhan Kahn, came forward at the press conference to voice his shock at the notion his brother could have committed mass murder.
"I have no idea why he would do that," a visibly shaken Khan told reporters, adding that he had last spoken with Farook about a week ago.
"I am in shock that something like this could happen," said Khan, who is married to Farook's sister. "I am very sad that people lost their lives.
Farook's father, quoted by the New York Daily News tabloid, described his son as a devout Muslim.
"He was very religious. He would go to work, come back, go to pray, come back. He's Muslim."
Muzammil Siddiqi, the religious director of the Islamic Society of Orange County, also condemned the killings saying these were contrary to the teachings of Islam.
"We have condemned all violence everywhere because human life is precious," he said. "And we respect and honor human life."
According to local news reports, Farook was employed by the San Bernardino County health department, which is believed to have organized the party at the Inland Regional Center.
The attack on the party triggered a massive manhunt that ended when police shot dead two heavily armed suspects -a man, believed to be Farook, and a woman on a quiet residential street.
SM/IINA
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