Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images.
Second update: At a 10 p.m. press briefing, Mayor Vince Gray said eight people were injured and are expected to be OK. Three of these victims were shot, including D.C. police officer Scott Williams, a K-9 officer and 24-year veteran of the force.
Gray said the 12 deceased victims were between the ages of 46 and 73. Seven names were released following the press conference.
MPD Chief Cathy Lanier said they are lifting the shelter in place order for Navy Yard. Lanier said they’ve “exhausted all means” for finding a possible second suspect and are comfortable they have the sole shooter.
Lanier explained that MPD reported two other possible shooters because they “err on the side of caution.”
The FBI’s Valerie Parlave said the alleged shooter Aaron Alexis had “legitimate access” to the Navy Yard as a civilian contractor.
Update: At a 6 p.m. press briefing, Mayor Vince Gray said they did not have much new information to report. MPD Chief Cathy Lanier said they are still looking for a black male of interest.
Lanier said the MPD officer wounded in the legs was out of surgery and should be OK.
President Obama said flags at the White House and public buildings will be flown at half-staff through September 20 to honor the shooting victims.
Original post
At least 13 people, including the man believed to be the shooter, are dead at the Navy Yard after a shooting Monday morning.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier and D.C. Mayor Vince Gray said at a press briefing just after 2 p.m. there is no known motive at this time. Gray said there is no reason to believe it was an act of terrorism.
Lanier called the response to the shooting “nothing short of heroic.” She said “actions by police officers helped to reduce lives lost.”
The chief said there are multiple other victims, including law enforcement officials. Only one law enforcement official was injured by a gun, she said.
Lanier said police are still actively searching for two other people, one white male and one black male, who may have been involved in the shooting. D.C. police later tweeted that “the white male in the tan outfit has been identified and is not a suspect or person of interest.”
She said the Federal Bureau of Investigations would take the lead on the investigation from this point on. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said her “heart and prayers” are with those who died or are injured. Tomorrow at 7 p.m., Norton said she will be on the floor of Congress for a moment of silence.
“I hope that people will reserve judgement” until the investigation is complete, Norton said.
D.C. Council Chariman Phil Mendelson said in a statement “the senseless and shocking events of today at the US Navy Yard weigh heavily on our city. My sympathies are with the victims and their families.
“No one should have to live in fear of the simple act of going to work. And no one should lose a loved one because of a stranger’s hatred.”
The Navy issued an Order to Account “for all Navy uniformed personnel, both active duty and selected Reserve, assigned to commands in the D.C. metro area.” This also applies to family members and civilian employees. These individuals are asked to report here.
Senate buildings are on lockdown, according to a tweet from the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms Office: “Out of abundance of caution #Senate bldgs temporarily locked down. No staff/visitors may enter/exit until further notice. Updates to follow.”
In D.C., the Department of Transportation says the inbound lanes of the 11th Street Bridge are closed. The outbound lanes are open. M Street SE is shut down between South Captiol Street to the entrance of the 11th Street Bridge.
