Chattanooga shooting investigation reportedly extends to Jordan
Just one day after Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez killed four marines and a sailor in a shooting at two Tennessee military sites, his uncle, Asaad Ibrahim Asaad Haj Ali,聽was placed in custody in Jordan, the detained man鈥檚 lawyer alleges.
An official in the Jordanian government confirmed聽Tuesday聽that Mr. Abdulazeez's relatives in聽Jordan聽are being questioned as part of an investigation into the gunman鈥檚 stay in the kingdom. Nevertheless, the official would not elaborate on the details of the inquiry or confirm whether someone is being held in custody. Abed al-Kader Ahmad al-Khateeb, a lawyer for Mr. Ali, says that he is being prevented from visiting his detained client.
The Chattanooga gunman spent several months in聽Jordan. He family had encouraged the visit in hopes that it would give him time away from drugs, alcohol, and a group of friends his family considered to be a bad influence, according to a family acquaintance.
US authorities are currently trying to understand why Abdulazeez decided to go on a rampage on Thursday that resulted in the death of five US service members. He was ultimately killed by police. Some have speculated that he may have been radicalized by an extremist terrorist group, but no evidence has linked him to Islamic militants.
鈥淎uthorities have found no written or video-taped messages from the 24-year-old explaining the attack or pledging allegiance to Islamic leaders overseas. And there is no evidence at this point that he had a state of mind that would compel him to undertake Thursday鈥檚 deadly assault on a military recruitment office and training facility,鈥� the Monitor reported Friday.
鈥淣either the Islamic State group nor other militant groups have claimed responsibility or involvement in Thursday鈥檚 ambush, though many militants have hailed him on social media as a martyr.鈥�
To date there is also no evidence that Abdulazeez was influenced by extremists during his time in Jordan. Jordan聽is one of the most Westernized countries in the Middle East. Alcohol is sold openly in the kingdom, and it has occasionally been called one of the most liberal Muslim countries. Nevertheless, Jordan has also seen the spread of Islamic militant ideas in recent years, primarily following the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011.
Family members have suggested that Abdulazeez鈥檚 struggle with depression may have been the reason behind the shooting.聽
This report includes material from the Associated Press.
