The shooting rampage in Chattanooga, Tennessee that killed four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor last Thursday is now being investigated as an act of terror. Though there is still much to be looked into in this tragic incident, top federal prosecutor for eastern Tennessee Bill Killian has said to CNBC News that the attack is already being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism. The gunman who opened fire at two military facilities in Chattanooga was identified as 24-year-old Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez. He was shot dead by police after the attack.
Born Mohammad Youssuf Saeed Hajj Ali in Kuwait, his father changed his last name to Abdulazeez in the same year he was born. Though Abdulazeez became a naturalized U.S. citizen, sources in Jordan have claimed that he was a Palestinian who owned Jordanian travel documents, as reported by CNN. Authorities have also yet to determine if the slain gunman had any connection to a militant group. A friend of Abdulazeez has testified that his friend had noticeably changed after a visit to the Middle East in 2014. Other friends of Abdulazeez have described him to be a "good friend" who was also "humble."
Following the shooting incident, Military Times have reported that law enforcements have consequently invaded the house allegedly owned by Abdulazeez.
The servicemen who perished in the shootout were Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan (of Hampden, Massachusetts), U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Squire Wells (of Cobb, Georgia), Marine Staff Sgt. David Wyatt (recently of Hixson, Tennessee), Marine Sgt. Carson Holmquist (of Jacksonville, North Carolina), and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith. Smith passed away on Saturday after being critically wounded in the shootout. A police officer and a Marine recruiter were also injured last Thursday.
CNN reports that the five joined the military to serve the country, and were willing to go to dangerous lands out of a sense of duty, idealism and patriotism. These men will not be forgotten for their service and valiance.
