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Gun rampage at Washington navy yard leaves 13 people dead Gun rampage at Washington navy yard leaves 13 people dead
(35 minutes later)
Thirteen people died after a gunman opened fire at a naval complex in the heart of Washington DC on Monday, in what became the worst attack on a military base in the US since the Fort Hood killings in 2009.Thirteen people died after a gunman opened fire at a naval complex in the heart of Washington DC on Monday, in what became the worst attack on a military base in the US since the Fort Hood killings in 2009.
As authorities struggled to piece together the details of what happened at the Washington navy yard, Barack Obama lamented "yet another mass shooting" and called it a "cowardly act".As authorities struggled to piece together the details of what happened at the Washington navy yard, Barack Obama lamented "yet another mass shooting" and called it a "cowardly act".
The FBI named the attacker as Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old former Navy aviation electrician's mate who was stationed in Texas until he left the military in 2011. Police records showed that he had been arrested at least twice in the past for gun-related incidents.The FBI named the attacker as Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old former Navy aviation electrician's mate who was stationed in Texas until he left the military in 2011. Police records showed that he had been arrested at least twice in the past for gun-related incidents.
Alexis died after a sustained firefight with police and security staff, who found numerous casualties after responding to emergency calls. "There were multiple engagements with the suspect who was ultimately deceased," said Cathy Lanier, chief of police in Washington DC. "There is no question he would have kept shooting."Alexis died after a sustained firefight with police and security staff, who found numerous casualties after responding to emergency calls. "There were multiple engagements with the suspect who was ultimately deceased," said Cathy Lanier, chief of police in Washington DC. "There is no question he would have kept shooting."
The FBI, which took the lead in the investigation, was determining how Alexis got into the navy yard: unconfirmed media reports have suggested that he may have used someone else's identification to get past security staff. About 3,000 people work at the complex, which houses the US naval sea systems command headquarters, responsible for buying, building and maintaining the US navy's ships, submarines and combat systems.The FBI, which took the lead in the investigation, was determining how Alexis got into the navy yard: unconfirmed media reports have suggested that he may have used someone else's identification to get past security staff. About 3,000 people work at the complex, which houses the US naval sea systems command headquarters, responsible for buying, building and maintaining the US navy's ships, submarines and combat systems.
There was no indication of a motive for the attack. After joining the navy in 2007, Alexis was assigned to a fleet logistics support squadron in Fort Worth, according to rear admiral John Kirby, the Navy's chief of information. Online records suggest he was arrested for a gun-related offence in 2010.There was no indication of a motive for the attack. After joining the navy in 2007, Alexis was assigned to a fleet logistics support squadron in Fort Worth, according to rear admiral John Kirby, the Navy's chief of information. Online records suggest he was arrested for a gun-related offence in 2010.
Police in Seattle said he was arrested in 2004 in another gun-related incident. According to a statement by Seattle police, Alexis's father told detectives his son had "anger management problems" associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. He had been an active participant in rescue attempts on September 11th, 2001," the Seattle police statement said.Police in Seattle said he was arrested in 2004 in another gun-related incident. According to a statement by Seattle police, Alexis's father told detectives his son had "anger management problems" associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. He had been an active participant in rescue attempts on September 11th, 2001," the Seattle police statement said.
In Washington, police initially feared two other men dressed in "military-style" uniform had been been involved in the attack, and launched a huge manhunt that locked down much of central Washington. One of the suspects was later identified and ruled out of the investigation. On Moday afternoon, the FBI said it still wanted to identify a second suspect, described as black, in his 50s, dressed in military khaki and carrying a rifle.In Washington, police initially feared two other men dressed in "military-style" uniform had been been involved in the attack, and launched a huge manhunt that locked down much of central Washington. One of the suspects was later identified and ruled out of the investigation. On Moday afternoon, the FBI said it still wanted to identify a second suspect, described as black, in his 50s, dressed in military khaki and carrying a rifle.
Doctors at the nearby MedStar Washington hospital center said they were treating several victims. The chief medical officer, Janis Orlowski, said one police officer had multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and was undergoing complex surgery. Two other civilian patients were women: one shot in her shoulder, the other in her head and hand. The second woman's head wound was not serious: "She is a very, very, lucky young lady," Orlowski said.Doctors at the nearby MedStar Washington hospital center said they were treating several victims. The chief medical officer, Janis Orlowski, said one police officer had multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and was undergoing complex surgery. Two other civilian patients were women: one shot in her shoulder, the other in her head and hand. The second woman's head wound was not serious: "She is a very, very, lucky young lady," Orlowski said.
Vincent Gray, the Democratic mayor of Washington DC, said he had no information to indicate that the attack was an act of terrorism. In a late-afternoon press conference, he confirmed that 13 people died and about a dozen were injured during the attack.Vincent Gray, the Democratic mayor of Washington DC, said he had no information to indicate that the attack was an act of terrorism. In a late-afternoon press conference, he confirmed that 13 people died and about a dozen were injured during the attack.
The incident began at about 8.15am, in building 197 of the navy yard complex, when many people were having breakfast in the cafeteria in the basement of the building. Some reports suggested that the gunman shot into the cafeteria from an overlooking walkway.The incident began at about 8.15am, in building 197 of the navy yard complex, when many people were having breakfast in the cafeteria in the basement of the building. Some reports suggested that the gunman shot into the cafeteria from an overlooking walkway.
As multiple law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene, the naval yard and surrounding buildings were immediately placed on lockdown. With the suggestion that more gunmen were on the loose, security was tightened across Washington.As multiple law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene, the naval yard and surrounding buildings were immediately placed on lockdown. With the suggestion that more gunmen were on the loose, security was tightened across Washington.
Speaking shortly after the attack, Obama said the victims had faced "unimaginable violence" and offered his condolences to their families. "We will honour their service to the nation they helped to make great," Obama said. The president, who has tried and failed to enact gun control measures in the wake of previous mass shootings, denounced the attack as cowardly.Speaking shortly after the attack, Obama said the victims had faced "unimaginable violence" and offered his condolences to their families. "We will honour their service to the nation they helped to make great," Obama said. The president, who has tried and failed to enact gun control measures in the wake of previous mass shootings, denounced the attack as cowardly.
Pentagon press secretary George Little added: "Everyone here at the Department of Defense is saddened by the incident at the Washington navy yard this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.Pentagon press secretary George Little added: "Everyone here at the Department of Defense is saddened by the incident at the Washington navy yard this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
"While the Pentagon remains open, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency increased its security posture, not out of a specific threat, but as a proactive, precautionary measure.""While the Pentagon remains open, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency increased its security posture, not out of a specific threat, but as a proactive, precautionary measure."
Though the motive for the attack remained unclear, it brought comparisons with the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, when Major Nidal Hasan, a psychiatrist at the Fort Hood base in Texas, killed 13 fellow service personnel in an attack that the army believes was carried out in response to US military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.Though the motive for the attack remained unclear, it brought comparisons with the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, when Major Nidal Hasan, a psychiatrist at the Fort Hood base in Texas, killed 13 fellow service personnel in an attack that the army believes was carried out in response to US military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The order for employees to stay in place remained in effect hours after the shooting. Sailors and civilians assigned to the Washington navy yard, as well as all personnel assigned to the nearby joint base Anacostia-Bolling, were advised to stay put while authorities continued to investigate the scene.The order for employees to stay in place remained in effect hours after the shooting. Sailors and civilians assigned to the Washington navy yard, as well as all personnel assigned to the nearby joint base Anacostia-Bolling, were advised to stay put while authorities continued to investigate the scene.
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