Chattanooga Killings: Domestic Terrorism for Certain
The killing of five – four marines and one Navy sailor- in Chattanooga was immediately classified as an act of terrorism for purposes of investigation.
The violence certainly was terrorism, but not of the sort government investigators had in mind. Domestic terrorism has long been a favored term of many who advocate against domestic violence. Terrorism was at the root source of the Chattanooga killings.
As described in court documents, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, the shooter who also died, grew up in a home where his father severely abused the mother and abused the children as well. The children were abused directly and also by being in the home when their mother suffered horrific beatings and sexual assault.
CBS news on-line reported that Mr. Abdulazeez’ mother filed for divorce in 2009. In court pleadings she stated that “there are five children in the family and her husband, Youssuf Saed Abdulazeez, had repeatedly beaten her, at times in front of them. ” Rasmia said on one occasion, she was beaten so severely she fled their home and went to a crisis center. She requested a restraining order and custody of the youngest child. In the documents, Rasmia also stated that she was sexually assaulted by her husband while the children were in the home. The documents allege that, on occasion, Youssuf had also been abusive towards the children, striking and berating them without provocation or justification.”
Eliminate violence in the home and the remaining terrorism may disappear.
Chattanooga shooting