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Officials say service members attempted to fight off Chattanooga gunman Officials say service members attempted to fight off Chattanooga gunman
(34 minutes later)
Officials investigating the shooting at a Chattanooga military recruitment center that left four marines and one sailor dead have said that some service members attempted to fight off the gunman before he was “neutralized” by local police.Officials investigating the shooting at a Chattanooga military recruitment center that left four marines and one sailor dead have said that some service members attempted to fight off the gunman before he was “neutralized” by local police.
At a press conference on Wednesday, law enforcement officials gave previously undisclosed details of how the gunman, identified as 24-year-old Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, stalked through the second facility he attacked, shooting at marines and sailors. Marine corps major general Paul Brier said that service members responded in line with their training – taking cover and seeking safety.At a press conference on Wednesday, law enforcement officials gave previously undisclosed details of how the gunman, identified as 24-year-old Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, stalked through the second facility he attacked, shooting at marines and sailors. Marine corps major general Paul Brier said that service members responded in line with their training – taking cover and seeking safety.
“I can tell you that our marines reacted how you would expect – rapidly going from room to room, they got their fellow marines to safety,” said Brier. “Once they had gotten to safety, some ran willingly back into the fight.”“I can tell you that our marines reacted how you would expect – rapidly going from room to room, they got their fellow marines to safety,” said Brier. “Once they had gotten to safety, some ran willingly back into the fight.”
The FBI special agent in charge of the investigation, Ed Reinhold, said that Abdulazeez fired into the recruitment center building, before entering it and shooting the first person he encountered.The FBI special agent in charge of the investigation, Ed Reinhold, said that Abdulazeez fired into the recruitment center building, before entering it and shooting the first person he encountered.
Reinhold said the suspect was armed with an assault rifle and handgun. A third weapon was found in Abdulazeez’s car. He said investigators know where the gunman purchased the guns, but are not yet making that information public.Reinhold said the suspect was armed with an assault rifle and handgun. A third weapon was found in Abdulazeez’s car. He said investigators know where the gunman purchased the guns, but are not yet making that information public.
Preliminary reports indicate that none of the victims were killed by friendly fire, Reinhold said. “All indications are – and we do not have the ballistics reports yet back – preliminarily, it looks like all victims were killed with the same weapon.”Preliminary reports indicate that none of the victims were killed by friendly fire, Reinhold said. “All indications are – and we do not have the ballistics reports yet back – preliminarily, it looks like all victims were killed with the same weapon.”
Abdulazeez crashed into the facility’s gate after firing shots at a recruitment center about seven miles away, just before 11am on 16 July. The gunman did not exit his vehicle in the earlier incident, where no one was killed.Abdulazeez crashed into the facility’s gate after firing shots at a recruitment center about seven miles away, just before 11am on 16 July. The gunman did not exit his vehicle in the earlier incident, where no one was killed.
Officials said that as he proceeded through the facility, he pursued people who were trying to evade him and shot at the people he encountered. He then exited the back, gated area where he killed two people.Officials said that as he proceeded through the facility, he pursued people who were trying to evade him and shot at the people he encountered. He then exited the back, gated area where he killed two people.
“Two service members attempted to provide cover and assist the military personnel getting over the fence and away from the shooter,” Reinhold said.“Two service members attempted to provide cover and assist the military personnel getting over the fence and away from the shooter,” Reinhold said.
One service member was mortally wounded inside the facility while four others were killed outside. Marine spokesperson Brier said one Marine was wounded in the attack but was treated and released.One service member was mortally wounded inside the facility while four others were killed outside. Marine spokesperson Brier said one Marine was wounded in the attack but was treated and released.
“The heroic actions of these service members doubtlessly saved numerous lives,” Reinhold said.“The heroic actions of these service members doubtlessly saved numerous lives,” Reinhold said.
Two additional service members were killed in the back gated area before Chattanooga Police “returned fire and neutralized the shooter”. The autopsy is pending and it is unclear whether he was shot by at least one service member who discharged a weapon during the incident. Two additional service members were killed in the back gated area before Chattanooga police “returned fire and neutralized the shooter”. The autopsy is pending and it is unclear whether he was shot by at least one service member who discharged a weapon during the incident.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Abdulazeez’s family said that he suffered from depression and investigators have found reference to Anwar al-Awlaqi, a US-born al-Qaida leader who was killed in a drone strike, in the gunman’s writings. “At this point in the investigation, it is too early to determine if he was radicalized,” Reinhold said.The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Abdulazeez’s family said that he suffered from depression and investigators have found reference to Anwar al-Awlaqi, a US-born al-Qaida leader who was killed in a drone strike, in the gunman’s writings. “At this point in the investigation, it is too early to determine if he was radicalized,” Reinhold said.
When asked whether Abdulazeez acted alone, Reinhold said he was currently being treated as a “homegrown violent extremist”, with investigators believing that he acted alone.When asked whether Abdulazeez acted alone, Reinhold said he was currently being treated as a “homegrown violent extremist”, with investigators believing that he acted alone.
“We do not have any indication that anyone else was assisting him on that day,” Reinhold said.“We do not have any indication that anyone else was assisting him on that day,” Reinhold said.
The attorney for Abdulazeez’s American uncle, Abdul Kader al-Khateeb, told the Guardian that his client, Asaad Haj Ali, is being held arbitrarily by Jordanian authorities.The attorney for Abdulazeez’s American uncle, Abdul Kader al-Khateeb, told the Guardian that his client, Asaad Haj Ali, is being held arbitrarily by Jordanian authorities.
In regards to the uncle, Reinhold said that the FBI is pursuing nearly 400 leads and has about 250 personnel in the Chattanooga region. At any given time, he said that 700 to 1000 personnel are investigating the case.In regards to the uncle, Reinhold said that the FBI is pursuing nearly 400 leads and has about 250 personnel in the Chattanooga region. At any given time, he said that 700 to 1000 personnel are investigating the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Associated Press contributed to this report