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Washington Navy Yard gunman named as Aaron Alexis Washington Navy Yard gunman named as Aaron Alexis
(35 minutes later)
A gunman who died after killing 12 people at a naval installation in Washington DC has been identified as a former Navy serviceman.A gunman who died after killing 12 people at a naval installation in Washington DC has been identified as a former Navy serviceman.
Aaron Alexis, 34, of Fort Worth, Texas, died in a gun battle with police during the rampage at Washington Navy Yard.Aaron Alexis, 34, of Fort Worth, Texas, died in a gun battle with police during the rampage at Washington Navy Yard.
About a dozen others were wounded in the attack, which began at around 8:20 local time (12:20 GMT) on Monday.About a dozen others were wounded in the attack, which began at around 8:20 local time (12:20 GMT) on Monday.
US President Barack Obama ordered flags be lowered to half mast at the White House and Capitol Hill.US President Barack Obama ordered flags be lowered to half mast at the White House and Capitol Hill.
He said he mourned "yet another mass shooting" and condemned the "cowardly act".He said he mourned "yet another mass shooting" and condemned the "cowardly act".
'Complete shock''Complete shock'
Alexis was formerly a petty officer 3rd class who served full-time in the naval reserve from 2007-11, said the US Navy.Alexis was formerly a petty officer 3rd class who served full-time in the naval reserve from 2007-11, said the US Navy.
It is not yet clear why he left the military, or how he gained access to the facility. Nor is a motive known for the attack.It is not yet clear why he left the military, or how he gained access to the facility. Nor is a motive known for the attack.
An unnamed Navy official told Reuters news agency that Alexis had been discharged after a series of "misconduct issues".An unnamed Navy official told Reuters news agency that Alexis had been discharged after a series of "misconduct issues".
The FBI has asked the public for help with any information about him. He was working as a military contractor, two defence department officials told the Associated Press, though it was unclear if he was assigned to Washington Navy Yard.
US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus told CNN that Alexis had been a contractor in the "information technology area".
Witnesses said the gunman sprayed bullets at office workers in a cafeteria and in a hallway at the heavily secured installation in the US capital.Witnesses said the gunman sprayed bullets at office workers in a cafeteria and in a hallway at the heavily secured installation in the US capital.
Washington DC police chief Cathy Lanier told reporters that the attacker "was engaged in shooting with police officers" when he died.Washington DC police chief Cathy Lanier told reporters that the attacker "was engaged in shooting with police officers" when he died.
"There is no question he would have kept shooting," she added."There is no question he would have kept shooting," she added.
Police initially responded to reports of two other armed suspects, but have since ruled out one of them, a white male.Police initially responded to reports of two other armed suspects, but have since ruled out one of them, a white male.
They said they were still looking for someone described by witnesses as a black male, 40-50 years of age, wearing olive kit and carrying "a long gun".They said they were still looking for someone described by witnesses as a black male, 40-50 years of age, wearing olive kit and carrying "a long gun".
As news of the shooting emerged, emergency vehicles and law enforcement officers surrounded the complex, and a helicopter hovered overhead.As news of the shooting emerged, emergency vehicles and law enforcement officers surrounded the complex, and a helicopter hovered overhead.
The US Senate buildings and six nearby schools were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution, while flight departures were briefly suspended at Reagan National Airport.The US Senate buildings and six nearby schools were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution, while flight departures were briefly suspended at Reagan National Airport.
Alexis' father told Reuters that his son's apparent involvement in the shooting was "a complete shock".
Algernon Alexis said his son had been working in a computer-related job for a private company after leaving the military.
Patricia Ward, who works at Washington Navy Yard, said she heard three shots, a pause, and then four more.Patricia Ward, who works at Washington Navy Yard, said she heard three shots, a pause, and then four more.
"Everybody was panicking and trying to decide which way to get out," she told reporters."Everybody was panicking and trying to decide which way to get out," she told reporters.
Washington Mayor Vincent Gray told a news conference the attack had been "horrific".Washington Mayor Vincent Gray told a news conference the attack had been "horrific".
Among the victims was a man in his 60s who died of a gunshot wound to his head, said officials at George Washington University Hospital.Among the victims was a man in his 60s who died of a gunshot wound to his head, said officials at George Washington University Hospital.
One police officer was shot in the legs, a female civilian was shot in the head and hand, and another woman was treated for a shoulder wound.One police officer was shot in the legs, a female civilian was shot in the head and hand, and another woman was treated for a shoulder wound.
All three were expected to recover, said Washington Hospital Center chief medical officer Janis Orlowski.All three were expected to recover, said Washington Hospital Center chief medical officer Janis Orlowski.
The Washington Nationals baseball team called off their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Nationals Park, not far from Navy Yard.The Washington Nationals baseball team called off their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Nationals Park, not far from Navy Yard.
The shooting occurred at a building that serves as the headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, purchases, builds and maintains ships and submarines for the Navy.The shooting occurred at a building that serves as the headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, purchases, builds and maintains ships and submarines for the Navy.
The Washington Navy Yard is the US Navy's oldest shore installation, first opened in the early 19th Century, according to the Navy.The Washington Navy Yard is the US Navy's oldest shore installation, first opened in the early 19th Century, according to the Navy.