Navy backs off: No Charges Against Officer for Weapons Violations in TN Attack

07 Aug, 2015 by Cassy Fiano

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The internet was outrageously outraged when rumors spread that Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White was going to be charged for firing back at the gunman in the Chattanooga shooting. Those rumors can officially be put to rest now, as the Navy has confirmed that there will be no charges filed.

Lt. Cmdr. Tim White, the Navy officer who fired a sidearm in defense during the attack on Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., will not face charges, an official familiar with the investigation told Stars and Stripes on Wednesday.

White was reported to be one of two service members carrying sidearms at the time of the attack, which could have led to charges. The Department of Defense prohibits all military personnel other than security forces from carrying arms while on base unless they are in a combat zone.

The Navy is still investigating the shooting, where a lone gunman attacked two separate military facilities. The shootings resulted in the deaths of four Marines and one sailor.

And this is why people should not put so much stock into things like text messages from unnamed sources, or tweets sent out by opportunistic politicians. Without reliable sources, then the whole thing is nothing more than a rumor mill churning out a new scandal to feed to the masses.