Chattanooga shooting: 4 Marines killed, a dead suspect and questions of motive

Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez
Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez

Who was the gunman accused of killing four Marines in a shooting rampage Thursday at two military centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and why did he open fire?

Suspected shooter Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24, is dead, the FBI said. But — publicly, at least — investigators haven’t said much more about him.

Witnesses saw Abdulazeez spray a hail of bullets at the glass doors of a military recruiting center in a strip mall. Then the gunman, who according to a law enforcement official was driving in a rented silver Ford Mustang convertible, moved on to his next target more than seven miles away: a Naval reserve center. There, he rammed into a gate at some point during his shooting rampage and was eventually killed by police, a U.S. official said.

Now, with the FBI in the lead, a terrorism task force is investigating, a law enforcement source said.

Authorities “have not determined whether it was an act of terrorism or whether it was a criminal act,” Ed Reinhold, FBI special agent in charge, told reporters. “We are looking at every possible avenue, whether it was terrorism — whether it was domestic, international — or whether it was a simple, criminal act.”

A key detail will help them make that determination: finding out the suspect’s motive.

Metro report highlights affordability gap for African Americans in Nashville

A new Metro Social Services report finds African Americans in Nashville face higher poverty, housing cost burdens, and shorter life expectancy despite the city’s strong

Trump’s mail-in voting executive order faces legal challenges

Civil rights groups, state leaders, and attorneys general are suing to block Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, arguing it threatens voter access and state election

Black Press continues legacy of advocacy and truth-telling as it nears 200 years

As the Black Press nears 200 years, Black-owned newspapers still champion truth-telling, advocacy, and community storytelling from Freedom’s Journal to today’s Black Press Sunday.

“Earthrise,” “Earth Day” and “Earthset”

From Apollo 8’s iconic “Earthrise” to Artemis II’s new “Earthset,” this Earth Day reflections piece links space images, climate change, and Nashville Earth Day 2026.

What to do when inheriting a house that is paid off

Inheriting a house that is paid off gives you instant equity, but your next steps—legal transfer, repairs, and whether to sell, keep, or rent—determine its