5th victim in Tenn. shooting dies

Four USA marines and a sailor were killed when 24-year-old Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire on two military centers in Chattanooga on Thursday, before dying himself in a shootout with police.

Just days before the shootings, Abdulazeez was seen dribbling a soccer ball in his yard, and he told two longtime friends he was excited and upbeat about his new job at a company that designs and makes wire and cable products. An officer who arrived on the scene noticed, according to court records, that Abdulazeez’s eyelids were droopy, that he smelled of alcohol and marijuana, and that a “white powdery substance” was dusted around his nostrils.

The U.S. Navy did not identify Smith in a statement but said it would be confirmed 24 hours after the next of kin process is completed.

“He was a friend of mine, a good Muslim”.

“He never said anything that would have been a red flag”, Sheikh said.

Abdulazeez’s family offered condolences to the families of the “victims of the shooting our son committed on Thursday”.

The gunman’s family said in a statement late on Saturday he had suffered from depression, and that they had experienced shock and horror over the violence.

Law enforcement officials have said they are investigating whether Abdulazeez was inspired by Islamic State or similar militant groups.

In response to the shootings, some governors have taken steps to increase security of National Guard recruiters and military facilities in their states.

But the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Friday it had no indication that the attack was linked to that group. FirstEnergy spokesman Todd Schneider wouldn’t say why Abdulazeez failed the background check, but a federal official told the Associate Press it was because he failed a drug test.

The four slain Marines have been identified: Thomas Sullivan, from Hampden, Massachusetts; David Wyatt, from Burke, North Carolina; Carson Holmquist, from Polk, Wisconsin; and Squire Wells, from Cobb, Georgia.

“We fought to preserve this great country which is America and when one is down, all are down”, he said. The report could not be independently verified. The official was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Investigators are searching for a motive for the killings. But he was cleared of any association with terrorism or wrongdoing. The Tennessee Valley Authority also confirmed to the AP that Abdulazeez was a student intern a few years ago at the federally owned utility, which operates power plants and dams in the South.

He had suffered three gunshot wounds, including to the right arm, back and stomach, with damage to his liver and colon, family members had told the Salina (Kansas) Journal. The suit was dismissed and the couple signed a post-nuptial agreement. One neighbour recalled Abdulazeez giving him a ride home when he was stranded in a snowstorm.

“There’s this misconception that Islam is a violent religion”.

Mr Ali and Mrs Brewer were among more than 1,000 people who attended a memorial service at a Baptist church for the victims.

Mohsin Ali, a member of the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga, said he hoped the local community didn’t dissolve into turmoil the way others have in the region over the building of mosques and other matters. “Disgraceful. And we will not let that endure”.