WASHINGTON – The man who law enforcement officials have identified as the gunman in Monday’s shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard was a fulltime reservist in the Navy for four years.
The U.S. Navy released details about Aaron Alexis, 34, of Fort Worth, Texas, following the deadly rampage. The FBI has identified Alexis as a gunman, who was shot and killed by police.
According to the information provided by the Navy, Alexis served as a reservist from 2007 to 2011, when he left the Navy as an aviation electricians mate 3rd class.
He had been working with the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 46 at Fort Worth. He earned a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal during his time with the Navy.
His hometown is listed as New York City.
In a press conference Monday night, the FBI’s Valerie Parlave said Alexis gained legitimate access to the Navy Yard area through his work as a contractor.
The Associated Press also reports that Alexis is believed to have a criminal record in Texas and to be a holder of a concealed carry weapon permit.
However the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports he was arrested in 2010 for discharging a firearm inside his apartment. The paper also reports Alexis had worked for a Thai restaurant in the area and posted a video describing interactions with him there.
Alexis was one of 13 people killed during the rampage. At least three other people were injured in the shooting.
Witnesses described a gunman shooting down into the cafeteria as workers ate breakfast. Other witnesses reported being shot at in a hallway.
Late Monday investigators were still searching for a possible second shooter. And the FBI asked anyone with information about Alexis to call the FBI’s D.C. Field Office at 202-278-2000 or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
“No piece of information is too small,” said Valerie Parlave, assistant director in charge of the Washington field office. “We are looking to learn everything we can about his recent movements, his contacts and his associates. This remains a very active investigation.”
The FBI has identified Aaron Alexis as the shooter who was killed by police and is accused in the rampage that killed 12 other people. (FBI)
In this video, The Star-Telegram’s Bud Kennedy and copy editor Sandy Guerra-Cline describe the Aaron Alexis they knew, as a gentle waiter at a White Settlement Thai restaurant.
CBS News reports on Alexis’ military service.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.
