A shooter who attacked military centers in separate parts of Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing four members of the military, was identified as Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez on Thursday, according to CBS and NBC News.
NBC’s Pete Williams said the suspect is believed to be originally from Kuwait. He is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
One witness described the shooter as “white” to the Times Free Press. “He was driving a silver, convertible Mustang — a white guy,” said Toscano Italian Grill co-owner Mohamed Elbardissy.
Authorities held a press conference Thursday afternoon, and District Attorney William C. “Bill” Killian said the FBI was leading the investigation and that the incident was being investigated as “an act of domestic terrorism,” but later clarified that the motivations of the crime were as of yet unclear.
The identities of the victims has not yet been released, and authorities said one police officer was injured during law enforcement’s effort to stop the shooter. Police say the suspect is dead.
Gov. Bill Haslam (R) offered his condolences.
We’ve had a tragedy unfold in Chattanooga today. I know Tennesseans join me in being sickened and saddened by this senseless act.
— Gov. Bill Haslam (@BillHaslam) July 16, 2015
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson cautions in a statement, “[A]t this time, there are many unconfirmed and possibly false reports about events.”
Update:
This is a breaking news story.