US Navy gunman had serious mental health issues
The ex-US Navy reservist who killed 12 and wounded eight at a US Navy building in Washington DC was treated for mental health issues, US media report. APWashington authorities questioned on Tuesday how a U.S. military veteran with a history of violence and mental problems could have gotten clearance to enter a Navy base where he killed 12 people before police shot him dead.
Aaron Alexis, 34, was treated for paranoia, trouble sleeping and hearing voices, the Associated Press reported. The investigators said family members told them Alexis had been treated since August by the Veterans Administration for his mental problems.
Before Monday\’s shooting at the Washington Navy Yard he was employed as a technical contractor there.
He was shot and killed by police during the attack.
Officials say they have found no connection to international terrorism and have found no manifesto or other writings suggesting a political or religious motivation.
The Navy had not declared the contract employee mentally unfit, which would have rescinded his valid pass to get into the Washington Navy Yard. Once inside Monday, Alexis opened fire on employees at the Naval Sea Systems Command, using a shotgun, a military-style automatic assault rifle, and a handgun he is believed to have taken from a wounded security officer.
Washington Mayor Vincent Gray said in addition to the dead, eight people were hurt in Monday\’s incident. All are expected to survive.
Police released the identities of those killed late Monday night, with their ages ranging from the late 40s to early 70s.
Alexis is a New York City native and a resident of Fort Worth, Texas. News outlets say Alexis was previously arrested in two separate shooting incidents, once in 2004 in Seattle and the second in Fort Worth in 2010.
Late Monday, grieving residents gathered outside the Naval Yard and held a silent candlelight vigil.
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered all flags across the country to fly at half-staff through sunset Friday to honor the victims. During an event at the White House Monday, Mr. Obama lamented yet another mass shooting, which he called a "cowardly act.\’\’
Source: Agencies
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