Records: Suspect in deadly shooting had troubled upbringing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — One of the suspects in the deadly shooting rampage at a Southern California holiday party grew up in a family in which his mother accused his father of being an abusive alcoholic, according to divorce records.

Syed Farook's mother alleged in 2006 that her husband attacked her while her children were present, dropped a TV on her and pushed her toward a car, according to the records obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

A day after the rampage, details about Farook's life began to take shape, but critical questions went unanswered, including how someone known as a quiet family man could turn so swiftly into a commando-style attacker intent on slaughtering his co-workers.

The details about the younger Farook's childhood emerged as authorities tried to determine what could have motivated him and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, to open fire Wednesday at a social service center in San Bernardino, killing 14 people and wounding more than a dozen others.

The official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Syed Rizwan Farook communicated with individuals who were under FBI scrutiny in connection with terrorism investigations.

The communication was a "potential factor" being looked at, said the official, who cautioned that "contact with individuals who are subjects of investigations in and of itself doesn't mean that you a terrorist."

San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said the couple had more than 1,600 bullets when they were killed by authorities, and that the shooters had more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition at their home, as well as 12 pipe bombs and tools that could be used to make explosive devices.

According to Stephens, both men worked as restaurant inspectors and regularly discussed politics and religion.

Dane Adams, of Corona, said Syed Farook's father, who moved in with his son, Syed's brother, two doors down a few months ago, was talkative, often visiting as Adams worked on classic cars in the garage.