Austin American-Statesman

Pistol found:

FBI recovers Glock that may have been fifired at gunman.

- By Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Adam Godlman

Gun at Chattanoog­a shooting scene may have been used by Marine.

CHATTANOOG­A, TENN.— The FBI has recovered a pistol that might have been privately owned and used by one of the Marines killed here on Thursday during the shooting at the Navy Operationa­l Support Center, according to law enforcemen­t offifficia­ls.

Investigat­ors are trying to determine based on forensics whether the pistol, a 9mm Glock, was used in an exchange with the shooter, Mohammad Abdulazeez, and possibly wounded him, offifficia­ls said.

The standard-issue pistol for military personnel authorized to carry a sidearm is a variant of the 9mm Beretta 92. According to the Marine unit’s commanding officer, Maj. Mike Abrams, Marines are not authorized to carry personally owned firearms while at the support center.

An FBI spokesman declined to comment.

The shooting has prompted calls to arm military personnel at bases and other facilities, including recruiting centers, in the United States. In the 1990s, the Pentagon restricted who can carry weapons on domestic military facilities.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, are calling for the Pentagon to do more to protect troops.

“Long before the Chattanoog­a attack, we had been working to clarify a post commander’s authority to allow carrying of personal firearms,” McCain and Thornberry said in a joint statement. “Together, we will direct the Pentagon to end the disconnect between the threats our war fifighters and their families face and the tools they have to defend themselves.”

Law enforcemen­t officials said they were still sifting through Abdulazeez’s life and trying to fifigure out what specifical­ly led to shootings. Abdulazeez, whose family said he had been suffering from depression, did not have an extensive social media profile, officials said.

A family representa­tive said Monday the FBI also recovered personal writings from his house that were depressive and contained extremist views.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? Ron andMisty Fahy attend a prayer service Sunday near theArmed Forces CareerCent­er, whichwas shot up lastweek in Chattanoog­a, Tenn., when Mohammod Abdulazeez opened fire on two military facilities. FourMarine­s and a sailor died.
GETTY IMAGES Ron andMisty Fahy attend a prayer service Sunday near theArmed Forces CareerCent­er, whichwas shot up lastweek in Chattanoog­a, Tenn., when Mohammod Abdulazeez opened fire on two military facilities. FourMarine­s and a sailor died.

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