5 Ways To Pay Tribute To The San Bernardino Shooting Victims

Update: According to officials, two of the suspected San Bernardino shooters are dead following a shoot-out with police, and one of the suspected shooters is a female. Late Wednesday authorities identified the suspects killed as Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, the woman, and said they had been in a relationship. Farook was a U.S. citizen and an employee of the of the San Bernardino County Health Department. Further details about Malik are not yet known. Police also detained a third individual at the scene, but it's unclear whether or not that person is connected to the shooting at the Inland Regional Center (where officials say they might have found an explosive device).

In a press conference earlier, the San Bernardino Police Department Chief Jarrod Burguan confirmed that up to three people opened fire at Inland Regional Center, leaving upwards of 14 people dead, with at least 21 additional people injured. At the time of the press conference, law enforcement was still clearing the scene, and the search for the suspects was ongoing.

Earlier: On Wednesday afternoon, a shooting occurred in San Bernardino, California at the Inland Regional Center. Since the initial reports began at 11:15 a.m. PST, 14 people have been killed and 17 more injured. Police reported that this incident was the work of three shooters, two of whom — including one woman — have been caught.

Now that police have apprehended two suspects, and could be closing on the third, it's time focus on the people who were affected most by this tragedy: the victims. As what happens after any tragedy, Americans are looking for ways to help and pay tribute to the victims of the San Bernardino shooting. And there are plenty of ways to do this that don't involve donating to a victims' fund.

Wednesday's events brought to light to very important issues facing the United States. The first being poor gun laws. The San Bernardino shooting was the 353rd mass shooting of 2015. And it took place in California, a state with strict gun laws. The fact that a tragedy of this magnitude occurred in a state with such rigid laws proves that Americans need to do more to change gun control laws and make that a priority for legislators.

The second issues is lack of resources for people with developmental disabilities. The shooting took place at the Inland Regional Center, a non-profit that helps individuals with developmental disabilities by providing a "service system that helps identify and eliminate barriers" for themselves and their families. It's heartbreaking that something to horrific had to occur at an organization that does so much good.

By further bringing these two issues to light, you can not only pay tribute to the San Bernardino victims, but create a change that the world so desperately needs. Here are just five ways you can honor those who lost their lives on Wednesday.