Shooter's family offers sympathy to families of his victims

(AP) — As the families of four Marines and a sailor shot to death in Chattanooga grieved their losses Saturday, the family of the man authorities say pulled the trigger offered sympathy, condolences and prayers.

"There are no words to describe our shock, horror, and grief," said the statement, provided to the Associated Press by a lawyer representing the family of Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, who was killed by police.

In Chattanooga, a city that prides itself on strong ties between people of different faiths, some Muslims feared the community's perception of them had changed after the shooting rampage Thursday.

Ali, one of the speakers, railed against alleged shooter Abdulazeez, 24, as a "murderer" who committed a "cowardly and cruel" act.

Authorities are looking into the shooting as a terrorism investigation and whether Abdulazeez was inspired or directed by any terrorist organization.

[...] governors in at least a half-dozen states ordered Guardsmen to be armed, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott moved his state's Guard recruiters from storefronts in urban areas to armories.

Khadija Aslam, 15, didn't wear her head covering in the car while riding to prayer services after the shootings for fear of attracting attention, and 15-year-old Zoha Ahmad said her family is worried about the possibility of vandalism at their home.

Ali said he plans to offer group counseling for concerned members of the Islamic community at his home, and that might help ease concerns.