ENRIQUE MARQUEZ, A a friend of the man behind this month’s attack in California, has been arrested in connection with the assault that left 14 people dead, US media is reporting.

Marquez, 24, who has been cooperating with authorities, legally purchased the two rifles used in the San Bernardino attack by US-born Syed Farook and his Pakistani wife Tashfeen Malik, authorities have said.

It is believed he purchased the weapons on behalf of Farook, who did not want them traced to him and feared he would not pass a background check.

The Los Angeles Times said Marquez, a longtime friend and former neighbour of Farook, would likely face criminal charges stemming from the 2 December assault that also left 22 people wounded.

Several reports said he could be charged as early as today.

Marquez, who was also connected to Farook through marriage and who had converted to Islam, checked himself into a mental health facility after the massacre and posted a cryptic message on Facebook that said, “I’m very sorry guys. It was a pleasure,” the Times reported.

Farook and his wife, who had a baby daughter, were killed in a gun battle with police following the shooting, which is being investigated as a terrorist attack.

© AFP 2015

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