Twisted San Bernardino terrorist plotted more mass atrocities

Farook’s former neighbour Enrique Marquez, accused of supplying the couple with assault rifles, told investigators he and the 28-year-old killer planned earlier mass casualties, according to prosecutors.

US Attorney Eileen Decker said the two men conspired to commit "vicious" assaults on targets including a California community college and a state highway during rush hour.

She said: “Even though these plans were not carried out, Mr Marquez's criminal conduct deeply affected San Bernardino… and the entire United States when the guns purchased by Marquez were used to kill 14 innocent people and wound many others.

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ACCUSED: Marquez and Farook had allegedly discussed radical Islam since 2007

According to an FBI document, the two men met in 2005 when Marquez became Farook's neighbour in Riverside, California.

Prosecutors said Farook introduced Marquez to radical Islamist ideology - and by 2011 Marquez was spending most of his time at Farook's home listening to lectures and watching videos with extremist content.

The pair began planning savage gun and bomb attacks, according to the document, with Marquez telling investigators their targets included the library or cafeteria at Riverside Community College - where they had both been students.

The pair also allegedly planned to detonate pipe bombs on a busy highway during rush hour traffic and then shoot at law enforcement and emergency crews as they arrived.

Prosecutors said the pair bought guns, ammunition and tactical gear, and Marquez told investigators he agreed to purchase the weapons because "his appearance was Caucasian," while Farook, the US-born son of Pakistani immigrants, "looked Middle Eastern”.

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SHOCK: ISIS claimed responsibility for the shootings

The document detailed how Marquez also purchased explosives, specifically smokeless powder, as part of the pair's plans "to create bombs and commit mass killings”.

Early in 2012, the two men continued to prepare by visiting shooting ranges.

After that year, prosecutors said, Marquez distanced himself from Farook and stopped plotting with him.