Nicholas Thalasinos, man outspoken against radical Islam, killed in San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A health inspector who worked alongside suspected shooter Syed Farook was one of the 14 victims killed in San Bernardino on Wednesday.
Nicholas Thalasinos, 52 of Colton, was a health inspector for San Bernardino County for more than a decade and was attending the banquet when police said Farook and Tashfeen Malik opened fire at the Inland Regional Center.
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His wife, Jennifer Thalasinos, said her husband was highly outspoken against radical Islam and most likely went down fighting.
"My husband was very outspoken about radical Islam, very outspoken. His Facebook page is just full of things about being outspoken about radical Islam and about the state of the country," Jennifer Thalasinos said.
She said Nicholas Thalasinos was a conservative Messianic Jew who never shied away from speaking his political or religious beliefs.
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But she said her husband never mentioned any kind of heated debate or argument with Farook.
She described her husband as a "gentleman inspector," who always dressed up for his job with red suspenders, a Star of David tie-clip and traditional Jewish tassels over his pants.
"To have this happen, this man, though I know he was targeting like everyone in that group, but I'm sure he was targeting my husband because of his faith and I really feel like my husband was martyred," Jennifer Thalasinos said.
"He was a good person, I loved my father and I always will," Jacob Thalasinos, Nicholas Thalasinos' son said.
Nicholas Thalasinos moved to California after meeting his wife online 14 years ago. They were married nine years.
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Jennifer Thalasinos said he walked her to her 2nd grade class Wednesday morning, bringing her students snacks and gave her one final hug and kiss.
It's something Jennifer Thalasinos said she's holding onto as she remembers her husband.
