‘I don’t think they were involved,’ neighbor says after FBI raids Mountain Creek Apartments residence

FBI agents prepare in a staging area on Hixson Pike before leaving to investigate the nearby home of gunman Muhammad Abdulazeez on Thursday in Chattanooga. FBI agents prepare in a staging area on Hixson Pike before leaving to investigate the nearby home of gunman Muhammad Abdulazeez on Thursday in Chattanooga.

By Evan Hoopfer July 22, 2015 17 min read

Alexis Tubbs was making a casserole when she looked out her kitchen window and saw half a dozen FBI agents pointing guns at her 14-year-old son.

Tubbs’ son was playing with his Airsoft gun Monday when FBI agents raided a nearby residence at Mountain Creek Apartments.

The raid – at the home of a widowed woman and her six children, Tubbs said – was carried out to investigate a lead about an associate of Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez. Tubbs said one of the widow’s sons knew Abdulazeez.

Photo Gallery

A day of tribute, remembrance for the fallen

SFC Robert Dodge and LTC Tony Parilli, from right, speak to area Army recruiters at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway before meeting with Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 where Army representatives thanked them for the quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings.

LTC Tony Parilli, right, thanks Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher while at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 for the city's quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings .

LTC Tony Parilli, center, thanks Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher and Mayor Andy Berke while at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 for the city's quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings .

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher are thanked by Army personnel while at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 for the city's quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings .

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher speak to media outside of the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 about the July 16, 2015 terror shootings.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann speaks to Chris Schote and his two-year-old foster daughter Anna while at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

Area Army recruiters gather at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway before meeting with Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 where Army representatives thanked them for the quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings.

LTC Tony Parilli thanks Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher while at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 for the city's quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings .

SFC Robert Dodge speaks to media outside of the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway after he and other Army representatives met Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Police Chief Fred Fletcher on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 to thank them for the quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher attends a meeting with Army representatives at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 where they thanked the city of Chattanooga for a quick response during the July 16, 2015 terror shootings .

Windows remain boarded at the Armed Forces Career Center off of Lee Highway on Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

Cathy Wells, the mother of Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, known as "Skip," stands after being presented with flowers at a memorial service at Sprayberry High School, where Wells attended, Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in Marietta, Ga. Crowds gathered at the suburban Atlanta high school to remember the Marine who was fatally shot in an attack on military facilities in Chattanooga.

A tear rolls down the cheek of Sgt. Benjamin Tranter, a former classmate of Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, known as "Skip," seen in photo at right, as he attends a memorial service for Wells at Sprayberry High School where they both attended, Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in Marietta, Ga.

Cathy Wells, left, the mother of Lance Cpl. Squire

Photo Gallery

Puzzling out answers, pouring out grief

Rodney Gray, left, prays during a memorial service at River Park Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the victims of the Tennessee shootings. Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, of Hixson, Tenn., attacked two military facilities on Thursday, in a shooting rampage that killed four Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Teen Challenge member, Carol Parker, center, becomes emotional during a memorial service at River Park Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the victims of the Tennessee shootings. The U.S. Navy says a sailor who was shot in the attack on a military facility in Chattanooga has died, raising the death toll to five people. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Dianna Varnes stands by a table adorned with photographs of the Marines who died after a memorial service at River Park Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The U.S. Navy says a sailor who was shot in the attack on a military facility in Chattanooga has died, raising the death toll to five people. Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, of Hixson, Tenn., attacked two military facilities on Thursday, in a shooting rampage that killed four Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Retired Army Col. Chris Cole wears a Military Order of the Purple Heart hat at an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Yusra Siddiqui, right, and Zoha Ahmad, who came with others from the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga to offer their support, pray during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Chattanooga Deputy Police Chief David Roddy, right, hugs Sgt. Denny Jones before an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Supporters bow their heads in prayer for the start of an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Clergy and supporters put their hands on the shoulder of Chattanooga Deputy Police Chief David Roddy as he speaks during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Supporters gather for an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Chattanooga Public Safety Coordinator Paul Smith, left, hugs U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mary Jackson before she speaks at an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, U.S. Sen Bob Corker, and U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann listen at an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Dr. Wayne Faunteroy wipes his face during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Chattanooga Assistant Police Chief Danna Vaughn listens during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Uzma Munir, who came with others from the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga to offer their support, puts her hands to her face while listening during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Women who came with others from the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga to offer their support put their hands around one another during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Women who came with others from the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga to offer their support hug outside after an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

Mounir Minkara, Diala Minkara, and Amani Issa, from right, who came with others from the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga to offer their support, listen during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

USMC Captain Ty Balzer, left, speaks to media as Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher listens from behind during a press conference at Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher, left, speaks to media as USMC Captain Ty Balzer listens from behind during a press conference at Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

ATF Special Agent Steve Gerido speaks to media during a press conference at Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

FBI Special Agent Ed Reinhold, left, speaks as Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher , center, and USMC Captain Ty Balzer, right, listen from behind during a press conference at Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian speaks to media as USMC Captain Ty Balzer listens from behind during a press conference at Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

Video journalists fill the back of the Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium during a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian
USMC Captain Ty Balzer
FBI Special Agent Ed Reinhold
ATF Special Agent Steve Gerido

FBI Special Agent Ed Reinhold, center, speaks as media fill the Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium during a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism.

Donna Christian-Lowe puts her hand to her face as people bow their heads in prayer during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.

An FBI official in the Knoxville field office said Tuesday he couldn’t discuss the ongoing investigation. He said a news conference is scheduled for noon today.

“We’ve been going all over this city talking to friends and associates of our shooter,” said Ed Reinhold, FBI special agent in charge, outside the Mountain Creek Apartments on Monday night. “In order to make this investigation completely done, we go around and talk to everyone we possibly can who may know or been associated with the shooter.”