Washington: An attack at two military installations in the US state of Tennessee in July that killed four Marines and a sailor was inspired by a "foreign terrorist group," the FBI said.
FBI Director James Comey, whose agency led an investigation along with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, said late Wednesday that the shooting was a "terrorist" case.
"We have concluded that the Chattanooga killer was inspired by a foreign terrorist organization's propaganda," Comey told reporters.
"We've investigated this from the beginning as a terrorist case."
By designating the attack as having been led by a "foreign terrorist group," the Pentagon was able to award the Purple Heart to the victims and a survivor, an honour extended to those wounded or killed while serving in the US military.
"Although the Purple Heart can never possibly replace this brave Sailor and these brave Marines, it is my hope that as their families and the entire department of the Navy team continue to mourn their loss, these awards provide some small measure of solace," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said.
Mabus and Comey did not indicate which extremist group might have been linked to the shootings.
"Their heroism and service to our nation will be remembered always."
On July 16, Kuwaiti-born naturalized US citizen Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire at a recruitment center in Chattanooga, then traveled to a Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center where he continued firing.
The FBI had early on determined that Abdulazeez, 24, had acted alone, while his family spoke of mental issues.
The self-proclaimed ISIS, which has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria, has called on its supporters to target US military personnel.
FBI Director James Comey, whose agency led an investigation along with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, said late Wednesday that the shooting was a "terrorist" case.
"We have concluded that the Chattanooga killer was inspired by a foreign terrorist organization's propaganda," Comey told reporters.
By designating the attack as having been led by a "foreign terrorist group," the Pentagon was able to award the Purple Heart to the victims and a survivor, an honour extended to those wounded or killed while serving in the US military.
Advertisement
Mabus and Comey did not indicate which extremist group might have been linked to the shootings.
Advertisement
On July 16, Kuwaiti-born naturalized US citizen Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire at a recruitment center in Chattanooga, then traveled to a Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center where he continued firing.
Advertisement
The self-proclaimed ISIS, which has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria, has called on its supporters to target US military personnel.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Crypto Fraud Increased 45 Percent in 2023 to $5.6 Billion, FBI Says 2,000 Cops, Chopper, Thermal Imaging To Arrest "Owner Of The Universe" Ex-Pentagon Official Claims US Recovered Non-Human Specimens: Report 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah Explained: How Pagers Turned Bombs And Why Israel Is Being Blamed In Big Step Towards Simultaneous Polls, Cabinet Clears 1 Nation, 1 Election Hardik Pandya Pushes Through The Week With His Barbell Lunges 'Lady Don' Behind Noida Murder Caught, Was Managing Jailed Partner's Gang Pager Attacks: What Next For Hezbollah? Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.