Tennessee shootings claims fifth victim

A male US Navy petty officer on Saturday succumbed to injuries sustained last week during an attack on US military facilities in Tennessee.

His death brings the number of people killed in the Chattanooga shootings to six, including four marines and the gunman. Another marine and a police officer were wounded.

A brief statement from the US Navy did not identify the officer or give any additional information.

But according to local media, family members identified him as Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, a reservist on active duty who leaves behind a wife and three young daughters.

"He was an awesome young man," his step-grandmother Darlene Proxmire told the Reuters news agency. "He loved his wife and children. He loved the navy."

WTVC News Channel 9 in Chattanooga tweeted details of the sailor's passing as his picture was reposted on social media dozens of times.

Following the announcement, News Channel 9's Betsy Goldin tweeted as flag-waving local residents began gathering on two of the city's bridges in a show of solidarity to the victims of the attacks.

On Thursday, the suspected shooter, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, drove to a military recruiting center where he sprayed the building with bullets.

He was then chased by police to a Naval Reserve Center some 10 kilometers (6 miles) away, where the shooting spree continued. He was later killed during the shootout with police.

The FBI is investigating whether the Kuwaiti-born US citizen may have had links to terrorist groups.

Some officials have said they believe the evidence points to a shooting inspired by the "Islamic State" extremist group, which had called for attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

But the FBI has stressed it had no indication that the incident was linked to that group.

Investigators also believe family or psychological issues may have contributed.

Officials have revealed that in May 2013, Abdulazeez was let go from a nuclear power plant near Cleveland after failing a background check.

As well as Navy Petty Officer Smith, the four slain Marines were Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan of Hampden, Massachusetts, Staff Sergeant David Wyatt of Burke, North Carolina, Sergeant Carson Holmquist of Polk, Wisconsin and reservist Lance Corporal Squire Wells of Cobb, Georgia.

mm/sms (AP, AFP, Reuters)