Obama: 'We Don't Know Why They Did It'

But he doesn't rule out the possibility of terrorism
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 3, 2015 10:55 AM CST
Obama: 'We Don't Know Why They Did It'
President Obama makes a statement on Wednesday's mass shooting in San Bernandino.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Obama spoke on the San Bernardino shooting Thursday after being briefed by top security officials, but he's apparently in the same boat as everyone else in trying to understand a motive. "We don't know why they did it," he told reporters in the Oval Office, per ABC News. "It is possible that this was terrorist related, but we don’t know. And it’s also possible that this was workplace related." Obama said the FBI was now in charge of the investigation of the shooting that left 14 people dead, reports NBC News.

In his comments, Obama also reiterated his call for stricter gun control. "We need to make sure when individuals decide they want to do harm we make it harder because right now it's just too easy," he said. After the news conference, Obama ordered flags at the White House and at all federal buildings to be flown at half-staff. (The two slain suspects dropped off their baby at her grandmother's before the shooting.)

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