FBI expects to have presence for days after Chattanooga, Tenn., rampage
- 1. FBI expects to have presence for days after Chattanooga, Tenn., rampage Matt Slovin and Jordan Buie, The Tennesseean; Doug Stanglin and Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY 5:29 a.m. EDT July 17, 2015 Military veteran David Croft adjust a US flag at a makeshift memorial near a military recruiting storefront after a shooting in Chattanooga, Tenn., on July 16, 2015.(Photo: Erik S. Lesser, EPA) CHATTANOOGA -- The suspected shooter in Thursday's rampage at a Navy reserves facility that left four Marines dead worked at a technology manufacturing company that specializes in cable products, according to a source knowledgeable about the investigation. An employee with Superior Essex approached the Williamson County, Tenn., Sheriff's Office and told authorities that suspect Muhammad Youssef Abdulazees, 24, who also died in the incident, worked at the Franklin, Tenn., plant. The spelling of Abdulazees' name is in dispute. Three others, including a Chattanooga police officer fighting for life, were injured in the rampage. Abdulazees split his time between Chattanooga and Nashville, another source said. Both cities are about 135 miles apart. The FBI confirmed that it made sweeps at the plant.
- 2. "At the request of the company and in an overabundance of caution, agents conducted a safety check to make sure that nothing remained that would be of harm to employees at that location," FBI spokesman Joel Siskovic said Thursday night. A longtime employee who requested anonymity said Abdulazees was a shift supervisor at Superior Essex, where the employee said Abdulazees worked for two to three months. "He was always nice, polite and well- spoke," the employee said. "I'm still shocked. I still think that can't be him." Late Thursday, the FBI said in a press conference that Abdulazees first shot from inside of a vehicle, then later got out and continued to shoot at a Navy-Marines training site. Abdulazees had several weapons and a residence was being searched as part of the investigation, said Ed Reinhold, FBI special agent in charge. Officials at the news conference assured that the public is safe. "Chattanooga is a great city with a broken heart tonight," said Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who earlier declared it "a horrible day for Chattanooga and a tragic day for all of Tennessee." The attack took place at two military buildings in Chattanooga. All of the killings took place at the second location, approximately seven miles from the first site, a recruiting center. Haslam was joined by Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. "Our hearts are breaking for the families of these Marines tonight," Berke said. Abdulazees was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Kuwait, WRCB-TV reported. U.S. Attorney Bill Killian said the attack was being investigated as possible "domestic terrorism." The FBI cautioned that it was "premature to speculate on the motives of the shooter at this time." U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the FBI will lead a national security investigation into the shooting. "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," she said in a statement released Thursday.
- 3. Hours after the first attack, at an all-branches recruiting center, law officers with guns drawn swarmed a house they suspected was Abdulazeez's in Hixson, Tenn. Authorities took away two women in handcuffs. Two federal law enforcement officials said Thursday that it appeared the shooter acted alone, but investigators were still looking for any possible associates who may have helped inspire the incident or acquire the weapon. There is no immediate evidence that the shooter knew any of the victims personally, the officials said. The officials were not authorized to comment publicly.. The Marine Corps said the four Marines died at a Navy-Marine training site about 7 miles from the all-branches recruiting center. A fifth Marine was wounded in the leg but not seriously hurt at the training center. Early Friday, FOX 25 News, citing family members, identified Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, 40, as one of the four Marines killed. President Obama called the attack "heartbreaking." The gunman, who drove a silver Mustang convertible, first fired at an Armed Forces Career Center at a strip mall, then sped off in the sports car. Police found numerous shell casings in the parking lot. The shooter drove to the U.S. Naval Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway, where he fired into the offices. The Navy said its Operational Support Center, where the fatal shootings occurred, provides training and readiness support for reserves. Authorities didn't disclose whether the gunman was killed by officers or shot himself "Today, the Navy and Marine Corps team collectively mourn the loss of four heroes," Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said. "The tragedy in Chattanooga is both devastating and senseless." The incident began around 10:45 a.m. and was over within 30 minutes. Residents of Colonial Shores, a quiet, shaded neighborhood in Hixson, Tenn., where the gunman's family lived, were prevented from returning to their homes Thursday afternoon by an armed guard. The neighborhood is about 7 miles from the Naval Reserve Center. Neighbor Dean McDaniel said Abdulazeez's family had lived in the neighborhood at least 15 years. The gunman graduated of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with a degree in electrical engineering, school officials said. Contributing: Adam Tamburin, The Tennessean Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1MxGfXe http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/101547574/0/usatoday-newstopstories~FBI-expects-to-have-presenc e-for-days-after-Chattanooga-Tenn-rampage/