Navy yard shooting leaves 13 dead

(Update)

Thirteen people are dead after a shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard Monday. That’s a military facility a short drive from the White House and close to the U.S. Capitol.

More than six hours after the first shots were fired, police were still swarming the navy yard and surrounding area, fearing one or more shooters might still be on the loose.

DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier: “We have active search for potential other suspects stay in home and out of area.”

It had been a normal Monday morning at the military complex at building 197. Then came the shots.

Navy Commander and Eyewitness Tim Jirus: “There was an individual who came from the building behind us, the maintenance building. He came up behind us and was talkin’ to me basically saying ‘hey there’s a shooter in your building’ and then I heard two more shots, one of them hit him, he went down in front of me and then I took off from there.”

Other witnesses described a dark skinned man maybe in fatigues with a long gun on an inside balcony firing down at people below.

DC Mayor Vincent Gray: “We now have a total thirteen fatalities including the shooter.”

Washington went into partial lockdown. Planes stopped at Reagan National. Senators told to shelter in place in the Capitol. President Obama from the White House:

“I made it clear to my team I want it to be seamless between federal and local authorities We’ll make sure whoever carried out this cowardly act is held responsible.”

Police soon reported one shooter down, shot dead. Aaron Alexis, 34-years old from Fort Worth, Texas. Police said a second of three men being sought, described as white wearing khaki, was no longer a suspect.

Authorities were still looking for why. And who else might have killed and terrorized in Washington.