Four Marines Dead After Gunman Opens Fire in Tennessee
Kelsey Bolar /
Four United States Marines were killed on Thursday after a gunman opened fire at an armed services recruiting center and a naval reserve facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Four dead in shootings at two US Navy buildings in Chattanooga, Tennessee, officials say http://t.co/lPF7YHzs4T pic.twitter.com/Id5tyr958h
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 16, 2015
The suspect, identified by law enforcement as 24-year-old Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, was born in Kuwait and came to the United States in 1996. He was also killed.
Alleged #Chattanooga gunman was naturalized US citizen-born in Kuwait w/ Jordanian citizenship http://t.co/yCr2RQ1Ug4 pic.twitter.com/NKHvJ6Ky9K
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) July 16, 2015
FBI searches family home of suspected #Chattanooga shooter Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez. CNNgo: http://t.co/HAhU3MmiMf pic.twitter.com/GrZQwKMpjP
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 16, 2015
The United States attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, William C. Killian, said officials were treating the attacks as an “act of domestic terrorism,” but the FBI and other federal agencies said it would be “premature to speculate on the motives of the shooter at the time.”
FBI Statement on Shootings at Military Facilities in #Chattanooga, Tennessee http://t.co/V1UYfQpRzj pic.twitter.com/wIeltsHdXK
— FBI (@FBI) July 16, 2015
In a brief statement to press, President Obama expressed his “deepest sympathies to the American people, to the four Marines that have been killed,” and said the attacks appear to be carried out by a “lone gunman.”
Obama promises thorough investigation into #Chattanooga shooting: https://t.co/nKrkMwWXnn
— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 16, 2015
The mayor of Chattanooga called the situation a “nightmare.”
WATCH: #Chattanooga Mayor describes "nightmare day" for the city following shootings http://t.co/XST1jioef9
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) July 16, 2015
Investigators said the attacks occurred over the course of about 30 minutes in two different locations, first at a military recruiting center on Lee Highway and next at a naval reserve facility on Amnicola Highway less than 10 miles away.
#Chattanooga authorities are expected to hold a press conference at any moment. Stay tuned to @TeamCavuto for updates pic.twitter.com/PwkazzN16d
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) July 16, 2015
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the U.S., condemned the shooting.
Prominent politicians also spoke out against the attacks, among them some 2016 contenders.
.@HillaryClinton laments "senseless violence" in the #ChattanoogaShooting http://t.co/4xM8NYoE1Z pic.twitter.com/DyvVCO6U5r
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 16, 2015
Praying for our fallen Marines. A tragic attack on those who sacrifice for our country http://t.co/toFD0ZNCgY
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 16, 2015
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was the first 2016 candidate to call the murders an “act of terrorism,” which has not yet been confirmed by law enforcement.
This apparent act of terrorism has taken the lives of 4 American heroes, & our hearts & prayers are w/ their families http://t.co/4k0leVNXHi
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 16, 2015
Within hours of the four Marines deaths, residents of Chattanooga came out to show their support.
The outpouring of support on the shooting scene makes me proud to be a Chattanoogan and an American #Chattanooga pic.twitter.com/eTqMeHuHyt
— Caitlyn Jones-WDEF (@CaitlynWDEF) July 16, 2015
Passed a man waving the flag on my way to a prayer vigil. Got a bit teary eyed. #Chattanooga #NoogaStrong pic.twitter.com/Sz87Jt0sbp
— caitlin warrick (@caitforshort) July 16, 2015
Heartbreaking images coming out of #Chattanooga. This young man is being comforted as he cries at the scene. pic.twitter.com/KKXSouP7Su
— Joe C (@itsthejoeshow) July 16, 2015
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus issued a statement that in part read, “While we expect our Sailors and Marines to go into harm’s way, and they do so without hesitation, an attack at home, in our community, is insidious and unfathomable.”
Statement out from @SECNAV Ray Mabus on #Chattanooga shooting. "The loss of four heroes" mourned, he says. pic.twitter.com/nJCGdK116y
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) July 16, 2015