The Tim White family in Penscacola, Fla., in 2014. (Photo on White family website by Dave & Jess Marshall)
By David Tulis
No charges are planned against Lt. Cmdr. Tim White of Chattanooga, the officer who used his pistol to fire back at a Muslim martyr who shot down four Marines and fatally wounded a Navy officer in an attack that is dubbed by many an act of “terrorism.”
“There is no pending case against Cmdr. White,” says Cmdr. Charles Summers, director of public affairs of the U.S. Naval Reserve. There are “no plans” to charge Mr. White, he said, and there “is no case” against Mr. White.
Asked if Mr. White should “stand down” in considering a possible defense against criminal or administrative charges, Mr. Summers said he does not “deal in hypotheticals,” and repeated his statements that no prosecution is in the works for Mr. White, the installation commanding officer, or ICO, who defended his unarmed men with his personal handgun in the July 16 massacre by Muhammad Abdulazeez.
Mr. Summers refused to make his comments live on today’s show (9 to 11 a.m. weekdays at AM 1240 Hot News Talk Radio). His comments also appear somewhat guarded, leaving open a prosecution later as investigation results solidify. It took the government months to charge Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with desertion.
Chrissy Essex of Chattanoogans for Justice, is skeptical of the Navy official’s statements. “I want a written confirmation that he’s not being charged, and then along with that — where is he getting his information from? Is it the JAG? Is it the FBI?” The FBI does not prosecute in military jurisdiction, but under the U.S. code.
Mr. Abdulazeez was a Hixson man who lived a fairly ordinary life as a Muslim before discerning that an act of jihad against American infidels would win the favor of Allah, the deity of the religion of Mohammed, that religion’s founder.
Mr. White has been the object of concern among people in Chattanooga who have expressed indignation that he faces sanctions for possibly having violated paperwork controls upon private weapons brought upon U.S. military facilities.
Other stories about Lt. Cmdr. Tim White
Cmdr. White remains under pall as city holds pro-military
Navy commander, facing a keelhaul for paperwork sins, wins growing public support
White’s Christian ideals stark contrast to Muslim theory
Public show of support Wednesday uplifts Navy man who shot at attacker
