Family of dead Chattanooga gunman breaks silence

The family of Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez has released a statement apologizing for the shooter's actions in Chattanooga.

By Staff Report July 18, 2015 16 min read

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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.

Mohammad Youssduf Adbulazeez, the shooter in Chattanooga attack on military facilities that left 6 dead and 2 wounded, including the dead shooter, is pictured as a mixed martial arts fighter.

The family of Chattanooga gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, called a terrorist by some, has released a statement extending their “deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the honorable servicemembers and police officers who were victims of the shooting our son committed on Thursday in Chattanooga, Tennessee – our community, and one we have loved for over twenty-five years.”

The statement continues: “Our prayers go out to the victims’ families, friends, and everyone who is affected by this tragedy.”

“There are no words to describe our shock, horror, and grief. The person who committed this horrible crime was not the son we knew and loved. For many years, our son suffered from depression. It grieves us beyond belief to know that his pain found its expression in this heinous act of violence.”

“We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so, as we understand there are many legitimate questions that need to be answered. Having said this, now is the time to reflect on the victims and their families, and we feel it would be inappropriate to say anything more other than that we are truly sorry for their loss.”

Family of dead Chattanooga gunman breaks silence

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Puzzling out answers, pouring out grief

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