In the wake of the horrific shooting in San Bernardino, there have been more questions than answers. What happened, and how? Could anything have been done to prevent this tragedy? What would come next? Some of those questions may soon be answered, in the form of one Enrique Marquez. The neighbor and friend of the San Bernardino killers has been arrested in connection with the killings of 14 people. Here's what you need to know about this developing story, and what it means for the case in San Bernardino.

He Allegedly Purchased The Guns Used In The Shooting

According to reports, Marquez purchased the two AR-15 style rifles that were used by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife during the bloody attack. He is also suspected of purchasing explosive materials in the past. Marquez claims that he never knew about the San Bernardino attack, and had placed his guns in Farook's care solely for safekeeping.

He Contacted Authorities Himself

Within 24 hours of the blood events in San Bernardino, Marquez called 911. In the call, he confessed to the operator his involvement with the murders.

"My neighbor," Marquez said in recently released transcripts of the call. "He did the San Bernardino shooting...the [expletive] used my gun in the shooting."

He Faces Multiple Charges


Eric Marquez may be cooperating with authorities and providing them with all the information he has at his disposal, but he still faces a world of trouble. The 24-year-old is charged with conspiring to provide material to support terrorism, immigration fraud, and making false statements in connection with purchasing firearms.

There Were Earlier Plots

Although it seems there was no direct connection between Marquez and the terrorist attack on San Bernardino (he claims no knowledge of the plot), in the past Farook and his neighbor had cooked up some truly sinister schemes. In 2011 and 2012, Marquez and Farook planned other terrorist attacks, although ever nothing came of those ideas. Marquez told authorities that he and Farook were plotting to attack the Riverside Community College. They also made a plan that involved throwing pipe bombs onto the freeway. When cars inevitably came to a stop, the two would open fire.

These are only the first reports released by authorities concerning Enrique Marquez. More information will undoubtedly follow--and hopefully, more facts that can prevent another terrible tragedy like the one in San Bernardino.

Tags
San Bernardino, Gun violence