Chattanooga Shooting: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Chattanooga shooting

Bullets pierced the glass doors of the military recruiting center on Lee Highway in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (April Grimmett/Twitter)

Four Marines were killed and a police officer was wounded when a gunman opened fire Thursday morning at two military recruiting centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, officials said.

The gunman, identified by the FBI as 24-year-oldMohammod Youssof Abdulazeez , was also killed. At least two others were injured, including one who is in critical condition. The officer, Sergeant Dennis Pedigo, is in stable condition.

The Marines have been identified as Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Sergeant Carson Holmquist and Lance Corporal Skip Wells.

The shootings were reported between 10 and 11 a.m. The situation was under control by about 1 p.m.

Here’s what we know so far:


1. The Case Is Being Investigated by the FBI as ‘Domestic Terrorism’

Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, Muhammed Youssef Abdulazeez, chattanooga shooter, chattanooga shooting

Zach, Zoe and Melissa Cates add to a makeshift memorial near the scene of a shooting at a Armed Forces Career Center/National Guard recruitment office. (Getty)

The Justice Department said the shooting probe is a “national security” investigation that will be led by the FBI.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said at a press conference “someone brutally and brazenly attacked members of our armed forces.”

The shooting started at the recruiting center on Lee Highway. The shooter then drove to another facility about eight miles away. The four Marines were killed there at a reserve recruiting and training facility on Amnicola Highway.

The shooter was also killed on Amnicola Highway. Police have not said if the shooter was killed by police or killed himself.

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Local, county, state and federal law enforcement officers are investigating the shooting. Several hundred FBI resources are expected to be in Chattanooga to investigate.

The two military facilities are about 8 miles away from one another:

Chattanooga shooting

(Google Maps)

The Navy’s official Twitter account said:


2. A Witness Said a White Male Fired Several Shots From a High-Powered Rifle

Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, Muhammed Youssef Abdulazeez, chattanooga shooter, chattanooga shooting

Police and State Troopers block entrances to the TN Naval Reserve Center. (Getty Images)

A woman who worked at a restaurant next to the recruiting office on Lee Highway told CNN she saw the shooting.

https://twitter.com/ASpiratoNC9/status/

“I looked out of our window and I seen the guy in his car, a silver Mustang, drop top, a white guy and he had a high-powered rifle and was just firing shots into the Air Force, Navy and Marines office,” Gina Mule told CNN. “I don’t even know how many shots he fired, but it was a lot. … After he got done opening fire, he pulled out really quick.”

She said she saw one man who was shot in the back of the leg, but everyone else was fine other than that.

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The other recruiting center is located on Highway near a Coca-Cola bottling plant.

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3. The Mayor Called It a ‘Horrific Incident’ & a ‘Nightmare’ for Chattanooga

https://twitter.com/AndyBerke/status/621705810234732544

Members of the FBI Evidence Response Team work the scene of a shooting at a Armed Forces Career Center/National Guard recruitment office. (Getty)

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said at a press conference that the shooting is a “nightmare” for the city.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said he was “sickened” and “saddened” by the tragedy.

U.S. Senator Bob Corker, the city’s former mayor, talked about the shooting on the Senate floor:

President Obama has been briefed on the situation.


4. Several Businesses Were Locked Down as Panic Hit the City

Chattanooga shooting

The Lee Highway recruiting center. (Google Street View)

The recruiting center on Lee Highway is located in a shopping center. Several businesses in the area near the Naval Reserve office were locked down or evacuated. The hospital where the wounded victims were taken was also on lock down, as was nearby Chattanooga State University.

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Several police vehicles could be seen on Amnicola Highway at about 10:20 a.m., according to posts on social media. Traffic was shut down at the Du Pont exit, according to Peter Guarneri.

There were also reports of a shooting at a mall in Bradley County, but that turned out to be false. The mall was evacuated as a precaution after reports of a shooting there were made, but nothing was found.


5. The Local Blood Bank Called for People to Donate to Help the Victims

A line was out the door at a Chattanooga blood bank after a call went out for donations, local news stations are reporting.

The Chattanooga Blood Assurance organization said there is an “urgent need for donors,” as shooting victims have required multiple units of blood.

Locations of Chattanooga area blood banks can be found here.