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Washington Navy Yard gunman named as Aaron Alexis Washington Navy Yard gunman named as Aaron Alexis
(35 minutes later)
A gunman who died after killing 12 people at a naval installation in Washington DC has been identified by the FBI as Aaron Alexis. A gunman who died after killing 12 people at a naval installation in Washington DC has been identified as a former Navy serviceman.
About a dozen others were wounded in the attack at Washington Navy Yard in the US capital. Aaron Alexis, 34, of Fort Worth, Texas, died in a gun battle with police during the rampage at Washington Navy Yard.
Alexis was killed at the scene of the rampage, began at around 8:20 local time (12:20 GMT). About a dozen others were wounded in the attack, which began at around 8:20 local time (12:20 GMT) on Monday.
Police were initially searching for two additional "potential" gunman but one has since been ruled out. US President Barack Obama ordered flags be lowered to half mast at the White House and Capitol Hill.
Alexis, a 34-year-old of Fort Worth, Texas, served full-time in the US Navy reserve from 2007-11, according to the US military. Alexis was formerly a petty officer 3rd class who served full-time in the naval reserve from 2007-11, said the US Navy.
He was a petty officer 3rd class. It is not yet clear why he left the military or how he gained access to the facility. It is not yet clear why he left the military, or how he gained access to the facility.
Police responded to reports of two additional suspects in Monday's shooting, but have since cleared one of them, a white male in a tan short-sleeve military-style outfit. The FBI has asked the public for help with any information about Alexis.
But they said they were still looking for someone described by witnesses as a black male, 40-50 years of age, wearing olive kit and carrying "a long gun". 'Complete shock'
An unnamed Navy official told Reuters news agency that Alexis had been discharged from the military after a series of "misconduct issues".
Alexis' father told the news agency that his son's apparent involvement in the shooting had come as "a complete shock".
Algernon Alexis said his son was working in a computer-related job for a private company after leaving the military.
Witnesses said the gunman sprayed bullets at office workers in a cafeteria and in a hallway at the heavily secured installation in the US capital.
Washington DC police chief Cathy Lanier told reporters that the attacker "was engaged in shooting with police officers" when he died.
"There is no question he would have kept shooting," she added.
Patricia Ward, who works at the Navy Yard, said she heard three shots, a pause, and then four more.
"Everybody was panicking and trying to decide which way to get out," Ms Ward told reporters.
Police initially responded to reports of two additional armed suspects in Monday's shooting, but have since ruled out one of them, a white male.
They said they were still looking for someone described by witnesses as a black male, 40-50 years of age, wearing olive kit and carrying "a long gun".
The US Senate buildings and nearby schools were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution.The US Senate buildings and nearby schools were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution.
Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier confirmed on Monday afternoon that 12 people, not including the gunman, were deceased. Washington Mayor Vincent Gray told a news conference the attack had been "horrific". Washington Mayor Vincent Gray told a news conference the attack had been "horrific".
One police officer was shot in the legs, a female civilian was shot in the head and hand, and another woman was being treated for a shoulder wound, she said. Among the victims was a man in his 60s who died of a gunshot wound to his head, said officials at George Washington University Hospital.
One police officer was shot in the legs, a female civilian was shot in the head and hand, and another woman was being treated for a shoulder wound.
At least three people, including the shot police officer, were brought to Washington Hospital Center by helicopter with gunshot wounds, said chief medical officer Janis Orlowski.At least three people, including the shot police officer, were brought to Washington Hospital Center by helicopter with gunshot wounds, said chief medical officer Janis Orlowski.
All three were originally listed in a critical condition but are expected to recover, according to Dr Orlowski. All three were originally listed in a critical condition but are expected to recover, said Dr Orlowski.
Authorities said no motive was yet known for the shooting. No motive was yet known for the shooting.
The FBI has taken control of the scene and the investigation, Chief Lanier said.The FBI has taken control of the scene and the investigation, Chief Lanier said.
The shooting occurred at a building on the Navy Yard campus that serves as the headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, purchases, builds and maintains ships and submarines for the Navy.The shooting occurred at a building on the Navy Yard campus that serves as the headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, purchases, builds and maintains ships and submarines for the Navy.
A professional baseball game at Washington Nationals stadium blocks away scheduled for this evening has been postponed. A professional baseball game at the nearby Washington Nationals stadium, scheduled for Monday evening, was called off.
At the White House, Mr Obama said he mourned "yet another mass shooting" and condemned the "cowardly act".At the White House, Mr Obama said he mourned "yet another mass shooting" and condemned the "cowardly act".
"These are men and women going to work and doing their job," he said."These are men and women going to work and doing their job," he said.
"They know the dangers of serving abroad, but today they face the unimaginable violence that they wouldn't have expected here at home.""They know the dangers of serving abroad, but today they face the unimaginable violence that they wouldn't have expected here at home."