Family: Chattanooga shooter suffered from depression

The family of Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, who killed five people in a shooting rampage last Thursday in Chattanooga, Tenn., said their son suffered from depression.

{mosads}“We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the honorable servicemembers and police officers who were victims of the shooting our son committed on Thursday in Chattanooga, Tennessee–our community, and one we have loved for our [25] years,” the Abdulazeez family said in a statement early Sunday. Our prayers go out to the victims’ families, friends and everyone who is affected by this tragedy.”

The family said words cannot describe their “shock, horror and grief.”

“The person who committed this horrible crime was not the son we knew and loved,” they added. “For many years, our son suffered from depression. It grieves us beyond belief to know that his pain found its expression in this heinous act of violence.”

The family also said they are cooperating with law enforcement, saying they “understand there are many legitimate questions that need to be answered.

“Having said this, now is the time to reflect on the victims and their families, and we feel it would be inappropriate to say anything more than that we are truly sorry for their loss,” they added.

A fifth victim of the shootings at two military facilities, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, 24, died early Saturday Four Marines — Thomas Sullivan, Skip Wells, David Wyatt and Carson Holmquist — were also killed.

Federal and local officials are investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism.