The 11th anniversary of the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack that claimed the lives of four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor was commemorated in 2025. The tragedy involved a shooting at a military recruiting center and a Navy reserve center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Fallen Five: The five service members killed in the line of duty are:
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt
Sgt. Carson L. Holmquist
Lance Cpl. Squire "Skip" Wells
Navy Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith
CHATTANOOGA, TN—On July 16, 2015, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixon, Tenn., shot and killed five individuals and wounded two more, including a Chattanooga Police Officer, at a Military Recruitment Center and Naval and Marine Reserve Center.
Evidence collection and testing are still ongoing. The FBI, along with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, will continue to work tirelessly on this complex investigation. Approximately 250 FBI personnel are on the ground in Chattanooga, with more working across the country and around the globe, following almost 400 leads.
A law enforcement news briefing was held today in Chattanooga to share information concerning the timeline of events which occurred on July 16, 2015. Participating in this press briefing were: Major General Paul W. Briar, United States Marine Corp, Commanding General of 4th Marine Division; Rear Admiral Mary M. Jackson, United States Navy, Commander, Navy Southeast Region; NCIS Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Keleher, NCIS Central Field Office; FBI Special Agent in Charge Ed Reinhold, Knoxville Field Office; ATF Special Agent in Charge Steven Gerido, Nashville Field Office; Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher, Assistant Commissioner David Purkey, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; and United States Attorney Bill Killian, Eastern District of Tennessee.
During today's press conference, FBI Special Agent in Charge Ed Reinhold described the series of events that occurred on July 16, 2015, as follows:
Shortly before 11:00 a.m., on July 16, 2015, the shooter, who has now been identified as Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, drove up to the Armed Forces Recruitment Center and fired shots. He did not get out of his vehicle at this time.
Abdulazeez then left the Lee Highway location and traveled to the other facility on Amnicola Highway, crashing into the gate at the Naval Reserve Center.
Abdulazeez exited the vehicle, armed with an assault rifle, handgun and numerous magazines of ammunition.
A service member fired at Abdulazeez from within the facility as he approached the building. Abdulazeez fired several rounds into building before reaching the facility.
Abdulazeez then entered the building and shot the first service member and he then made his way through the building and continued to shoot at those he encountered.
Abdulazeez continued to fire on exposed military personnel as he made his way outside to the gated motor pool area and killed two military service members.
Two military service members attempted to provide cover and assist the military personnel in getting over the fence and away from Abdulazeez.
Abdulazeez continued to fire and killed two others service members.
Abdulazeez attempted to move inside the compound at which point he was engaged by the Chattanooga Police Department.
One Chattanooga Police Department officer was then wounded and Chattanooga Police Department killed the shooter
The heroic actions of these service members saved countless lives.
This happened in my neighborhood. I'm going to the memorial today.
Wolfhag
