2nd LT in the Royal Saudi Air Force, Mohammed Alshamrani, 21. Identified as the shooter who shot and killed three Sailors at Naval Air Station in Pensacola
FBI identified the NAS Pensacola shooter as Saudi national Mohammed Alshamrani. Anyone with information regarding his activites is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. FBI Jacksonville is not aware of any credible threat toward the Pensacola community at this time.
.Official Advisory from Navy Chief of Information***
Navy Identifies Three Sailors Killed in NAS Pensacola Shooting
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Three Sailors died during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6.
The identities of the Sailors are:
-Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Student, Naval Aviation Schools Command, 23, from Coffee, Alabama
-Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, Student, Naval Aviation Schools Command, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida
-Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, Student, Naval Aviation Schools Command, 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia
“The sorrow from the tragic event on NAS Pensacola will have a lasting impact on our installation and community,” said Capt. Tim Kinsella, commanding officer, NAS Pensacola. “We feel the loss profoundly and grieve with the family and friends of the deceased. The Sailors that lost their lives in the line of duty and showed exceptional heroism and bravery in the face of evil. When confronted, they didn’t run from danger; they ran towards it and saved lives. If not for their actions, and the actions of the Naval Security Force that were the first responders on the scene, this incident could have been far worse.”
The installation is now open to mission essential personnel only through the weekend. Families who live on base will have access to the base and their residences. The National Naval Aviation Museum is closed until further notice. The Barrancas National Cemetery is closed to visitors until further notice.
From Gov DeSantis:
Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola following this morning’s shooting to receive a briefing from leadership at NAS Pensacola, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, the Governor spoke with President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper regarding the shooting and ongoing investigation.
Governor DeSantis also held a press conference detailing the efforts of his administration to provide support on the ground. Governor DeSantis was joined by NAS Pensacola Base Commander Captain Timothy F. Kinsella Jr., Commander Michael Harbison, FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Jayer Williamson, Representative Alex Andrade and representatives from the Escambia County Commission, FBI, NCIS and Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
Governor DeSantis said, “We are praying hard for the victims and families impacted by today’s shooting at NAS Pensacola. As a Navy veteran, today hits especially close to home. NAS Pensacola is a special place and these brave warriors who wear the wings come here for flight training to protect and serve our great nation. My administration and state agencies have deployed and will continue to provide support personnel and services to all of the military, civilians and families impacted by today’s senseless act of violence.
“Today’s shooting not only strikes at the heart of Northwest Florida, but for the Navy nationwide and around the world. The response we saw from the deputies at Escambia County Sheriff’s office and active personnel responding to the scene is commendable and lives were saved because of the bravery of those wearing the uniform of the U.S. Navy and our local law enforcement, including from those who were wounded and still worked to help others. Their bravery will not be in vain. We have learned that the shooter was a foreign national in the employ of a foreign service and the government of Saudi Arabia needs to make things better for the victims and they’re going to owe a debt here.”
Early this morning, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an active shooter at the Pensacola Air Station. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded and negated all threats at the base.
An Emergency Family Assistance Center was established today and will reopen at the Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC). FFSC will have counselors there to support witnesses, friends, family and base residents. They can be contacted at (850) 452-5990.
For decades the Naval air station has been training international students including Saudi Arabia nationals as well as others.
Rough week at Naval Installations.
DEC 4: This follows another shooting when Department of Defense civilians died following a shooting at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam on Dec. 4. The shooter, a Navy Sailor assigned to USS Columbia (SSN 771), died from self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The civilians have been identified:
– Vincent J. Kapoi of Hawaii, Metals Inspector Apprentice, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
– Roldan A. Agustin of Hawaii, Shop Planner (Nondestructive Testing), Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
The Sailor was identified as Machinist’s Mate Auxiliary Fireman Gabriel Antonio Romero of Texas, assigned to USS Columbia (SSN 771). The submarine, homeported in in Pearl Harbor, remains in dry-dock at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for routine maintenance.
Naval Air Station Pensacola is closed until further notice.