The Navy is investigating a shooting at Naval Station Norfolk that left two men dead - one a sailor and one a civilian. According to the Navy, the killing of the sailor took place aboard the USS Mahan late Monday night.
Navy spokeswoman Petty Officer Second Class Molly Greendeer told The Associated Press that the suspect was a civilian contractor.
WTKR-TV reports the incident started about 11:20 p.m. Monday night:
The civilian suspect approached the quarterdeck of USS Mahan where he was confronted by ship security personnel. A scuffle ensued after security forces wouldn’t let him get past the entrance to the ship. During the scuffle, the man grabbed a gun from the Petty Officer on watch and shot a sailor that was responding to the security breach.
Naval security forces then killed the civilian believed to be the assailant.
A lockdown was put in place at Naval Station Norfolk - the world's largest naval base - for about 45 minutes during the incident.
Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer, Capt. Robert Clark, told reporters at a news conference that the civilian suspect had authorization to be on base.
Fox News explains what that means:
To get on the base, civilians must be escorted or have a pass. Authorized civilians can include Department of Defense employees, contractors and military family members.
According to the Navy, operations have returned to normal on base, with the exception of Pier One, where the Mahan is docked.
Navy Fleet and Family Service Center has made counselors available to folks on base traumatized by the shooting.
