Navy to post armed guards at military reserve centers
The U.S. Navy has decided to post armed guards at Naval Reserve Centers effective immediately, reports CBS News' David Martin.
Although it will take some time to post the guards, the decision applies to all 70 Naval Reserve Centers that are not located on military bases.
The decision comes after the recent attack at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that killed five service members and wounded several others.
Investigators identified Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24, as the gunman in the July 16 attack.
The Marines killed were identified as Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Hampden, Massachusetts; Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt of Burke, North Carolina; Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist of Polk, Wisconsin; and Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells of Cobb County, Georgia, who a family spokesman says went by Skip. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith later also died.
There has been controversy surrounding the fact that during the attack Navy Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White allegedly fired back at Abdulazeez with his own personal firearm. Military personnel were banned from carrying weapons inside military recruiting and reserve stations.
Democratic presidential candidate and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb rushed to the defense of the Navy lieutenant commander.
Webb said on Twitter Saturday that White deserves to be praised rather than punished.
Former Rep. Allen West, a veteran, wrote on his personal blog that he inquired about the charges in a text message and, "I can confirm that the United States Navy is bringing charges against Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White for illegally discharging a firearm on federal property." He did not say who his source was.
The Navy responded though saying it's not true. "No one is being charged right now. We are still reviewing the facts of this incident," a public affairs officer said.
The Navy also responded to comments on its Facebook page, writing, "Stories of Navy personnel being charged with an offense are not true. There is still a long way to go in reviewing the facts of this tragic incident, but at this time we can confirm no service member has been charged with an offense."
More than 24,000 people have so far signed a White House petition asking the president to give medals of bravery to White and other service members who were affected by the shooting. The White House promises to respond to those petitions with 100,000 signatures within 30 days.