Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate today to give back in celebration of all that #PublicMediaGives. Your contribution will be matched $1 for $1.

Chattanooga, Tenn., Church Bells Ring Out In Honor Of Killed Service Members

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Today in Chattanooga, Tenn., a somber moment.

(SOUNDBITE OF CHURCH BELL RINGING)

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

Late this afternoon, several churches and chapels rang their bells.

(SOUNDBITE OF CHURCH BELL RINGING)

BLOCK: They chimed five times - one for each of the military service members who died in the shootings one week ago.

SIEGEL: Sergeant Carson Holmquist, Petty Officer Randall Smith, Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Lance Corporal Squire Wells, Staff Sergeant David Wyatt.

BLOCK: Federal authorities still don't have a clear picture of why Muhammad Abdulazeez went to the two military facilities and opened fire, targeting the service members. Agents are looking into his mental health and examining if he had ties to any radical organization.

SIEGEL: The first of the funerals is tomorrow in Hixson, Tenn. Family and friends will gather to remember Marine Staff Sergeant David Wyatt. After the funeral, there'll be a procession to the Chattanooga National Cemetery, where he'll be buried with full military honors. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.