Washington Navy Yard Mass Murder: Aaron Alexis (2013)
Overview
On the morning of September 16, 2013, 34-year-old civilian contractor Aaron Alexis carried out a mass shooting inside Building 197, the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Over the course of roughly an hour, Alexis murdered 12 people and wounded others before he was shot and killed by law enforcement inside the building. Investigators later determined he acted alone.
Entry and Timeline of the Attack
Alexis, who had a valid Common Access Card through his subcontractor employment, drove onto the Navy Yard early that morning and entered Building 197 just after 8 a.m. He had concealed a sawed-off Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun in a bag. According to official timelines, the first shots were fired at about 8:16 a.m. on an upper floor. As responding officers converged on the scene, Alexis moved between floors, at one point descending to the first floor and later returning to higher levels. During the attack he stole a 9mm Beretta service pistol from a security officer and continued firing as teams searched the building. Officers ultimately engaged and fatally shot Alexis at approximately 9:25 a.m. inside Building 197, ending the rampage.
Weapons and Markings
The primary weapon was a Remington Model 870 shotgun modified with a shortened barrel and stock. Investigators recovered the shotgun and noted phrases etched into it, including references to “ELF” (extremely low frequency), alongside other disturbing inscriptions. Alexis also used the stolen Beretta M9 during the attack.
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