PENSACOLA, FLORIDA — A Saudi trainee at the US Navy Pensacola Air Station carried out a shooting early morning on Friday that the FBI is assuming to be a terrorist attack.
The New York Times reports that federal investigators identified the shooter as Saudi air force Second Lieutenant Mohammed Alshamrani in a press event on Sunday.
The commanding officer of the base told the New York Times that three sailors tried to tackle the shooter in order to save others and were killed in the attack.
Deputies responding to the emergency fatally shot Alshamrani. The incident left three sailors dead and eight injured, including two deputies who were shot in the limbs.
The Times reports that one Saudi national was on the scene and videoed the shooting. The FBI has detained this individual alongside with two other Saudis on base for questioning.
According to the FBI, Alshamrani was carrying a 9 millimeter Glock 45 pistol with a 33 round magazine and several spare magazines when deputies shot him.
FBI special agent in charge Rachel Rojas, who identified the weapon, said the shooter "purchased the weapon legally and lawfully."
