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Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez: Chattanooga Shooting Suspect’s Name Identified, Three U.S. Marines Dead

By Patrick Frye
Published on: 07:48 PST, Jul 16, 2015

Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez is the name of the Chattanooga shooting suspect, according to the latest reports by CBS. The Chattanooga Police Department identified the Chattanooga shooting suspect during an afternoon news conference related to the shooting incident.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, multiple Chattanooga shootings have taken place, and some wonder if it was an act of terrorism. The Chattanooga shooter seemed to be targeting U.S. military recruitment centers, and at least two U.S. Marines were shot during the attack.

Witnesses told police that Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez went into the parking lot of a U.S. military recruitment center on Amnicola Highway, but then sped away to Bradley County, where another recruiting center is located at a mall. Reports have not listed what weapon was being used by the Chattanooga shooter, but Marilyn Hutcheson, who works across the street from the U.S. Naval Reserve building on Amnicola Highway, says she heard a barrage of gunfire.

“I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many,” she said. “It was rapid fire, like pow pow pow pow pow, so quickly. The next thing I knew, there were police cars coming from every direction. We’re apprehensive. Not knowing what transpired, if it was a grievance or terroristic related, we just don’t know.”

According to CNN, one witness, named Fred Wright, claimed Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez must have been using an automatic weapon, and it sounded like he fired 30 to 40 shots.

One police officer was shot in the ankle as cops converged on the Chattanooga shooter. Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez was apparently shot dead while being pursued. The condition of the Chattanooga shooting victims is unknown, although Mayor Andy Berke said the police officer is currently in surgery for the leg wound. There are also three other injured people, although their identities are unknown. It is also said a U.S. Navy sailor and a U.S. Marine were also injured.

Some reports claim four people died, including Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez. It is reported that the three U.S. Marines died before the Chattanooga shooter died.

“I am heartbroken by the tragic shootings that have taken place today in my hometown,” said U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). “We have been in touch with federal, state and local officials and continue to monitor developments and have offered our assistance. This is a difficult day for Tennesseans and our thoughts and prayers are with all affected by this tragedy.”

CNN reports that “authorities are serving search warrants at the deceased shooter’s home in hopes of finding some indication of his motivation in today’s violence.” According to Bill Gavin, former assistant director of the FBI’s New York office, the FBI is working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force to examine Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez’s history.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee Bill Killian said, “We are treating this as an act of domestic terrorism.”

The investigation will determine how Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez bought his weapon used during the Chattanooga shooting.

“It’s going to be a complex investigation, a lot of forensic work,” Gavin said.

This report will be updated once more is known about the identity of Chattanooga shooting suspect Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, but CBS News reports that he is from Phoenix, Arizona.

[Image via Times Free Press]

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