Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP
A gunman opened fire today at two military centers in Chattanooga, Tenn., killing four Marines and wounding three other people.
The gunman is also dead, though it’s unclear how he was killed.
The FBI identified the gunman as Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24. Law enforcement officials tell NPR’s Dina Temple-Raston that he is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Kuwait. His parents are Jordanian. Local news organizations tweeted a picture of him, which NPR has confirmed. Their spelling of his name differs, however.
They also tell Dina he is from Hixson, Tenn. Law enforcement officials were searching his home. FBI investigators are also looking at computers, his online history, and any affiliations he might have. No other information is known about him.
The FBI in a statement said the bureau’s Knoxville Field Office, the Chattanooga Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are working jointly to investigate the shootings.
The shots were first fired from his rented silver Ford Mustang at a military recruiting center on Lee Highway at about 10:45 a.m. ET. Reporter Rabbit Zielke, of member station WUTC, tells NPR’s All Things Considered police then pursued the suspect to the Navy Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center Chattanooga on Amnicola Highway where he opened fire again.
All those killed, including the attacker, were shot at the Navy building, FBI Special Agent in Charge Ed Reinhold said at a news conference. The entire incident lasted 30 minutes.
Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, confirmed the victims were all Marines.
“Lives have been lost from some faithful people who are serving our country,” Gov. Bill Haslam said, adding he was “sickened and saddened by this.”
Reinhold said they believed the shooter was acting alone. The suspect, who is believed to be from the area, had numerous weapons, officials said at the news conference.
After initially saying the shootings were an “act of domestic terrorism,” officials backtracked, saying all angles are being pursued as the motive is investigated.
A police officer who was shot in the ankle is being treated at a local hospital. Other individuals, including a Marine, also were injured and were treated. The Marine was later released.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter called the shootings a “senseless act of violence.” President Obama vowed a prompt and thorough investigation.
This is a breaking news story. We’ll update once we know more.
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