UPDATED: 3: 24 PM ET
Four Marines and a gunman were killed in shootings at multiple military sites in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mayor Andy Berke announced at a Thursday afternoon press conference. The gunman was believed to have acted alone.
“It is incomprehensible to see what happened and the way that individuals who proudly serve our country were treated,” Berke said. “This is, as I said, a nightmare for the City of Chattanooga, one to which we will respond.”
According to Bill Killian, U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Tennessee, “We are conducting this (investigation) as an act of domestic terrorism.”
Authorities released little information about the gunman, but Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Knoxville Division Ed Reinhold said he may have been local.
“We believe he’s probably from this area or at least residing in this area prior to the event,” Reinhold said. “We are looking into every possible avenue, whether it was terrorism, whether it was domestic, international, or whether it was a simple criminal act.”
The attacks took place at the Naval and Marine Reserve Center on Amnicola highway and the Navy Recruiting Center on Lee highway.
A police officer who was shot in the leg remained in stable condition at a local hospital, according to NBC’s Chattanooga affiliate WRBC.
Berke announced earlier Thursday that there had been a “horrific incident in our community.”
Horrific incident in our community. We will release details as they are confirmed. Prayers to all those affected
— Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) July 16, 2015
The U.S. Navy confirmed that the shooting occurred at its Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway, after initially announcing that there was no shooting at that location.
#BREAKING CORRECTION: #USNavy confirms shooting at building on Amnicola Highway.
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) July 16, 2015
Several locations, including Chattanooga State Community College, Lee University and Erlanger Hospital, were temporarily placed on lockdown.
According to WTVC’s Drew Bollea, who was on the scene, police closed down a section of Amnicola Highway and were diverting traffic from the area. He reported hearing a half-dozen shots in rapid succession and witnessing about 30 emergency vehicles heading to the scene.
BREAKING: I heard what sounded like a rapid fire if at least 6 shots. I’m near Coca Cola plant, South of Chatt State. pic.twitter.com/DzL4r69vAm
— Drew Bollea (@Drew_BolleaNC9) July 16, 2015
VIDEO: More police and EMS speeding by. Smells like burnt rubber as cars fly by. pic.twitter.com/BczrzNhPLt
— Drew Bollea (@Drew_BolleaNC9) July 16, 2015
LIVE on #Periscope: Heavy police presence on Amnicola near Coca Cola plant https://t.co/Lq9rGODOpx
— Drew Bollea (@Drew_BolleaNC9) July 16, 2015
This post has been updated.
