Navy Shooter Was Reportedly in Saudi Air Force

Death toll in Pensacola is 4, including the gunman
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 6, 2019 12:38 PM CST
Updated Dec 6, 2019 1:05 PM CST
Report: Navy Shooter Was Saudi Aviation Student
Police cars escort an ambulance in Pensacola, Fla.   (Tony Giberson/ Pensacola News Journal via AP)

Much is unknown about Friday's shooting at a naval base in Florida, but multiple outlets—including the AP, the Washington Post, and NBC News—are reporting that the gunman was an aviation student from Saudi Arabia. All are quoting unidentified US officials or law-enforcement sources. Authorities have not yet spoken of a motive. The Post says the gunman was a military pilot undergoing additional training at the base, and the AP describes him as a second lieutenant in the Saudi Air Force. The shooting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola left four people dead, including the shooter, and several people injured.

Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office shot the gunman about 7:45am, reports WEAR-TV. Two deputies also were shot, but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. The shooting took place in what is known as the Aviation Pre-Indoctrination Building, according to the TV station. It was not immediately clear whether the victims were civilians or military personnel. The sprawling base has both. The Pensacola News Journal reports that the number of people injured, now at seven, could increase before the day is over. (It's the second shooting this week at a US naval facility.)

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