BULLETIN: Mass Shooting At 2 Separate Military Sites In Chattanooga, Tenn.
BULLETIN: (7th Update 6:32 p.m. EDT U.S.A.) Multiple media outlets are reporting a mass shooting at two separate military centers in Chattanooga, Tenn. An early report in the Chattanooga Times Free Press says four U.S. Marines have been killed and a police officer shot and wounded.
A gunman apparently also has been killed.
The U.S. Navy has confirmed a shooting incident in Chattanooga.
#BREAKING CORRECTION: #USNavy confirms shooting at building on Amnicola Highway.
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) July 16, 2015
U.S. Attorney Bill Killian of the Eastern District of Tennessee has called the shootings an “act of domestic terrorism,” according to an AP report via the Washington Post. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke called the shootings a “horrific incident in our community.”
Horrific incident in our community. We will release details as they are confirmed. Prayers to all those affected — Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) July 16, 2015
From NBC News (italics added):
The shootings happened about 40 minutes and six miles apart, first at a military recruitment station and then at a Navy and Marines reserve center. It appeared that the Marines were killed at the reserve center.
The U.S. Marines Corps has confirmed the deaths of four marines at the Navy & Marine Reserve Center.
JUST NOW: Confirmed 4 Marine fatalities at Navy & Marine Reserve Center in TN. Names of Marines released upon notification of next of kin.
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) July 16, 2015
FBI identifies shooter as Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24. Statement from FBI (italics added):
The FBI’s Knoxville Field Office, along with the Chattanooga Police Department and other law enforcement partners, are working jointly to investigate today’s shootings at a military recruitment center and a reserve center in Chattanooga, Tennessee in which four individuals were killed and three injured. The shooter, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24, is also deceased. While it would be premature to speculate on the motives of the shooter at this time, we will conduct a thorough investigation of this tragedy and provide updates as they are available.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch calls it a “national security investigation.” (Full statement/italics added):
“On behalf of the Department of Justice, I offer my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the U.S. servicemembers who were murdered and the law enforcement officer who was wounded in this shameful and cowardly act of violence. I have directed the FBI to take the lead in the national security investigation of this heinous attack on members of our military. The U.S. Attorney’s office and department prosecutors are also actively involved. In the days ahead, we intend to work with our partners in law enforcement and the intelligence community to ensure that the American people are protected and that justice is served.”
Statement of Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, via U.S. Marine Corps on Facebook:
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Today, the Navy and Marine Corps team collectively mourn the loss of four heroes. The tragedy in Chattanooga is both devastating and senseless. On behalf of the entire Department of the Navy family, I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wounded in service to our nation during this incident.
Throughout history our Sailors and Marines have served overseas, in harm’s way, and the men and women of the Navy and Marine Corps have experienced the deep and lasting pain of combat loss. Today, here at home, we once again feel that pain.
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. As the investigation unfolds, our priority will be to take care of the families of those affected.
I’d like to express my gratitude to the first responders on the scene whose prompt reaction was critical to stopping this individual from inflicting further violence.
Though we can never fully prevent attacks like this, we will continue to investigate, review and guard against future vulnerabilities and do everything in our power to safeguard the security of our service members and their families.
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Source: https://www.facebook.com/marines/posts/10152828110900194
Patrick
The Tennessean has identified the four Marines who were killed:
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2015/07/17/neighbors-family-id-three–four-slain-marines/30289203/
SNIPPET:
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While authorities have not officially identified the victims, neighbors in Chattanooga and friends and family on social media identified the Marines killed as David Wyatt of Chattanooga; Sgt. Thomas Sullivan of Springfield, Mass; Skip Wells of Marietta, Ga., and Sgt. Carson Holmquist.
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Patrick
Official statement from the Marine Corps that identifies the fallen:
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PENTAGON — It is with deep regret and heartfelt sorrow that the Marine Corps can officially confirm that the following Marines were killed on July 16, 2015, at the combined Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee:
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan (USMC) of Hampden, Massachusetts
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt (USMC) of Burke, North Carolina
Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist (USMC) of Polk, Wisconsin
Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells (USMCR) of Cobb, Georgia
Our priorities are focused on supporting the families of our Marines involved and assisting federal investigators.
“Please keep our fallen Marines in Tennessee and their families in your thoughts and prayers,” said Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr, Commandant of the Marine Corps. “Also pray for a speedy recovery of those wounded and affected by this tragedy. Our focus remains on supporting the families of our Marines.”
The incident has not changed the Marine Corps’ resolve to maintain a presence in our American communities. Our reserve centers will remain open, and continue with the mission of augmenting and reinforcing the active component Marine Corps with trained units and individual Marines as a sustainable and ready operational reserve in order to augment and reinforce active forces for employment across the full spectrum of crises and global engagements.
Marine Corps Recruiting Command will also remain engaged in local communities, focused on accomplishing the critical mission of finding qualified men and women to serve as United States Marines.
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Source: http://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/3258/Article/610099/marines-identified-in-chattanooga-shooting.aspx
Patrick
Official statement from the U.S. Navy — a fifth person has died as a result of wounds sustained in the attack. The person was a Sailor.
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=90201
Full statement:
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WASHINGTON (NNS) — A male Navy Petty Officer succumbed to wounds received in the July 16 shooting at the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee July 18 at 2:17 a.m.
In total, four U.S. Marines and one Sailor were killed in the incident. His name will not be released until 24 hours after the next of kin process is completed.
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Patrick