This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24120854

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Profile: Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis Profile: Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis
(about 14 hours later)
A picture is emerging of Aaron Alexis, who shot dead 12 people at Washington Navy Yard in the US capital on Monday.A picture is emerging of Aaron Alexis, who shot dead 12 people at Washington Navy Yard in the US capital on Monday.
A military veteran who was a Buddhist convert and formerly a popular waiter, the 34-year-old does not at first sound like the type who could carry out America's latest gun outrage.A military veteran who was a Buddhist convert and formerly a popular waiter, the 34-year-old does not at first sound like the type who could carry out America's latest gun outrage.
But there seem to have been warning signs in the suspect's troubled past, including reports of violent outbursts and paranoia.But there seem to have been warning signs in the suspect's troubled past, including reports of violent outbursts and paranoia.
Little is known about New York-born Alexis' life before 2004, when he was arrested in Seattle for shooting the tyres of a construction worker's vehicle - in what he later described as an enraged "blackout".Little is known about New York-born Alexis' life before 2004, when he was arrested in Seattle for shooting the tyres of a construction worker's vehicle - in what he later described as an enraged "blackout".
His father told Seattle detectives after the incident that his son had been involved in rescue efforts during the 9/11 attacks in New York, and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.His father told Seattle detectives after the incident that his son had been involved in rescue efforts during the 9/11 attacks in New York, and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.
'Insubordination''Insubordination'
In August 2008, he was arrested for disorderly conduct in the state of Georgia, according to the Smoking Gun, a website that collects police and court documents.In August 2008, he was arrested for disorderly conduct in the state of Georgia, according to the Smoking Gun, a website that collects police and court documents.
In 2010, police were called to Alexis' apartment in Fort Worth, after an upstairs neighbour reported he had almost shot her through the floor. He told police his gun accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it, and no charges were filed.In 2010, police were called to Alexis' apartment in Fort Worth, after an upstairs neighbour reported he had almost shot her through the floor. He told police his gun accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it, and no charges were filed.
Defence officials said Alexis served as a full-time reservist in the Navy from 2007-11, attaining the rank of petty officer 3rd class.Defence officials said Alexis served as a full-time reservist in the Navy from 2007-11, attaining the rank of petty officer 3rd class.
Posted at Fort Worth, Texas, he received two routine awards, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.Posted at Fort Worth, Texas, he received two routine awards, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Alexis left the Navy reserves under what is called a general discharge, a status that suggests misconduct.Alexis left the Navy reserves under what is called a general discharge, a status that suggests misconduct.
He had been cited for insubordination, disorderly behaviour and excessive absences from work at least eight times during his Navy career, the Washington Post reported.He had been cited for insubordination, disorderly behaviour and excessive absences from work at least eight times during his Navy career, the Washington Post reported.
'Nice and genteel''Nice and genteel'
After his discharge Alexis began pursuing a bachelor's degree in aeronautics through online classes and worked at a Thai restaurant in Fort Worth.After his discharge Alexis began pursuing a bachelor's degree in aeronautics through online classes and worked at a Thai restaurant in Fort Worth.
A former Fort Worth roommate, who described Alexis as his "best friend", said he was shocked by the news.A former Fort Worth roommate, who described Alexis as his "best friend", said he was shocked by the news.
"I don't think he'd do this," Nutpisit Suthamtewakul, owner of Happy Bowl Thai restaurant, where Alexis had worked, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper."I don't think he'd do this," Nutpisit Suthamtewakul, owner of Happy Bowl Thai restaurant, where Alexis had worked, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper.
"He has a gun, but I don't think he's that stupid," Mr Suthamtewakul said."He has a gun, but I don't think he's that stupid," Mr Suthamtewakul said.
Bud Kennedy, a columnist for the newspaper, told the BBC: "He was a quiet fellow and always nice and genteel."Bud Kennedy, a columnist for the newspaper, told the BBC: "He was a quiet fellow and always nice and genteel."
Alexis attended a Buddhist temple in a suburb of Fort Worth, and had reportedly converted to the faith.Alexis attended a Buddhist temple in a suburb of Fort Worth, and had reportedly converted to the faith.
J Sirun, an assistant to the monks at the temple, told the Washington Post: "He did not like to be close with anybody, like a soldier who has been at war."J Sirun, an assistant to the monks at the temple, told the Washington Post: "He did not like to be close with anybody, like a soldier who has been at war."
Hotel 'voices'Hotel 'voices'
Alexis had been helpful to others at the temple, Mr Sirun told the newspaper, but at least one person there avoided him because he seemed too tightly wound.Alexis had been helpful to others at the temple, Mr Sirun told the newspaper, but at least one person there avoided him because he seemed too tightly wound.
Since August, Alexis had been receiving treatment from the US Veterans Administration for serious mental health issues, including hearing voices, paranoia and a sleep disorder, the Associated Press reports.
At the time of the shooting, he was employed by a subcontractor working on a US Navy intranet network and had a valid pass to enter Washington Navy Yard.At the time of the shooting, he was employed by a subcontractor working on a US Navy intranet network and had a valid pass to enter Washington Navy Yard.
A month before the shootings, while working as a contractor in Newport, Rhode Island, Alexis called police to his hotel room, while suffering apparent paranoia. A month before the shootings, while working as a contractor in Newport, Rhode Island, Alexis called police to his hotel room, while suffering an apparent paranoid episode.
He told officers someone he had argued with while boarding a plane in Virginia had sent three people to follow him.He told officers someone he had argued with while boarding a plane in Virginia had sent three people to follow him.
Alexis believed they were using a microwave machine to send vibrations into his body so he could not sleep.Alexis believed they were using a microwave machine to send vibrations into his body so he could not sleep.
He said he had checked into several hotels in order to evade them.He said he had checked into several hotels in order to evade them.