Senators from Georgia express sympathy to families of murdered Marines

WASHINGTON — Georgia’s U.S. senators expressed sympathy Friday to the families of the four Marines who were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire at a Navy Reserve center at Chattanooga, Tenn., after shooting at a joint military recruitment station six miles away.

The senators mentioned Lance Cpl. Skip Wells of Cobb, Ga., a 2012 graduate of Sprayberry High School in Marietta. Wells; Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan of Hampden, Mass.; Staff Sgt. David Wyatt of Burke, N.C., and Sgt. Carson Holmquist of Polk, Wis., were slain during the shootings. Three other people were injured.

“My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the grieving community of Chattanooga,” Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said. “I join Georgians in shock and outrage at the loss of four U.S. Marines, including Skip Wells, a graduate of Sprayberry High School in my hometown. I extend my sympathies to his family and friends, and I assure them that I remain committed to doing everything necessary to fight and end terrorism at home and abroad.”

Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said, “Today we stand with the all those impacted by the senseless shootings in Chattanooga. Among those lost was an American hero, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Skip Wells from Georgia who was a graduate of Sprayberry High School in Cobb County and studied at Georgia Southern University.

“At a young age, Wells courageously answered the call of duty and enlisted in the Marines to protect our country. His loss is felt across our state and nation, and I join my fellow Georgians in lifting the Wells family up in prayer.”

The FBI identified the shooter as Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24, who was slain by police after he opened fire at the Navy center. Federal investigators were trying to determine the motive for the murders and whether the killer had links to terrorist groups.