CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Five people, including a gunman, have been killed in a shooting in Chattanooga, officials have confirmed.
At least one gunman opened fire at two military facilities Thursday morning, in what one official called, "an act of domestic terrorism."
Officials confirmed in a press conference that four US Marines were killed in the attack. One officer was among three victims injured. The victims' families have not yet been notified.
The shooter was also said to be dead. It was unknown if that person was shot by police.
According to CBS News, officials confirmed the identity of the shooter was 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez.
While Abdulazeez’s motive remained unknown, NewsChannel 5 has learned he was a naturalized citizen out of Kuwait.
Information on the family's Facebook pages suggested they’re Palestinians. Abdulazeez graduated from UT Chattanooga in 2012 with a degree in electrical engineering.
Back in April, he was arrested by Chattanooga Housing Authority officers on DUI charges.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates learned more about Abdulazeez. That information can be found in the video below.
EXCLUSIVE: Images from #Sky5 showing suspects car used in #ChattanoogaShooting - he had several weapons @NC5pic.twitter.com/lI341Qp8Iu
— Chris Conte (@NC5_ChrisConte) July 16, 2015
The FBI released the following statement:
“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.”
The attack began around 10:45 a.m. and lasted for about 30 minutes, law enforcement officials said. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said there was no remaining threat to the public.
An alert of an active shooter was sent to students at Chattanooga State Community College, located on Amnicola Highway.
The U.S. Navy said in a tweet that there was a shooting at a Navy recruiting building on Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga.
Posted by NewsChannel5.com on Thursday, July 16, 2015
Officials told recruiters at a facility 7 miles away on Old Lee Highway that they were also attacked by a shooter in a car. The shooter stopped in front of the recruiting facility, shot at the building and drove off, said Brian Lepley, a spokesman with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
"Horrific incident in our community," Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said in a Tweet. "We will release details as they are confirmed. Prayers to all those affected."
Police setup a command post near the scene. Officials said both Amnicola Highway and Lee Highway were shut down for a time as a result of the shooting.
A United States official said there's no indication that the suspected gunman was under investigation by the FBI or on the radar of federal law enforcement at the time of the shooting.
The official was briefed on the investigation but was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The following statement was released by the Department of Defense:
"We can confirm that four DoD servicemembers were tragically killed and one wounded in two separate shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee today. The shootings took place at a Network Operations Support Center operated by the U.S. Navy and at an armed forces recruiting center. Names of the deceased will be released following next of kin notification. We are working with local and federal authorities. We will provide additional information as it becomes available."
Officials with Homeland Security were on the scene at Navy Recruiting Offices in South Nashville as a precaution.
Officials with the Tennessee Management Agency sent two coordinators to assist with efforts in Hamilton County.
White House Officials said President Obama has been briefed on the situation. Spokesman Eric Schultz said that the president will continue getting updates from his staff as needed.
The violence Thursday had a lot of gun advocates speaking out saying service members should be allowed to carry their weapons at work.
Governor Haslam responded by saying that would be up to United States military officials to determine.
“You know we obviously had a shooting at a military base one and a half or two years ago,” Haslam added. “I think for me to comment on that right now would be speculative and a little preliminary.
Some people also raised concerns about the safety of recruiting centers in very public places, like strip malls.
One employee at a business close to a midstate recruiting facility said they aren't concerned.
“Quite honestly being next door to them makes us feel secure,” said Tracey Eads, Assistant Manager at Hadley’s. “We love having them come in as patrons. They come in here, we go over there. Everyone in the shopping center is very close and very alert, so we’re really honored and privileged to be next door to them.”
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
