Marine from Mass. among victims of Chattanooga shooting
A Massachusetts native was one of four Marines killed Thursday in shootings at a pair of Tennessee military facilities, CBS station WBZ reports.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan was shot and killed in Chattanooga on Thursday along with three of his fellow Marines, according to the India Battery 3rd Battalion 12th Marines' Facebook page.
The names of the other three victims have not yet been released.
According to MassLive.com, Sullivan, 40, grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, served two tours of duty in Iraq and earned a Purple Heart. He also graduated from American Military University in 2011.
Sullivan's brother, Joe, who owns Nathan Bill's Restaurant and Bar in Springfield, also posted a message on the restaurant's Facebook page:
"Rest In Peace Gunnery SGT. Thomas Sullivan. Anyone who went to Holy Cross School, Cathedral High School or grew up in the East Forest Park knew who Tommy was. He was our hero and he will never be forgotten. Please keep his family & friends in your thoughts & prayers. Thank you Tommy for protecting us."
Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24, opened fire at two military facilities on Thursday, killing four Marines and injuring two other service members and a police officer, officials told CBS News.
Sources said Abdulazeez was born in Kuwait and came to the United States in 1996. He was killed after the attacks.
Officials have said they do not know why the shooter targeted the military recruiting center and another U.S. military site. Although the gunman acted alone, investigators are seeking to determine if he had any ties to terrorism or was influenced by online terrorist propaganda.