One day after the horrific shootings at the Washington Navy Yard, law enforcement is still collecting evidence about what transpired. In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, law enforcement, however, provided some additional details of Monday’s shooting. The timeline will understandably change as more information is known and we’ll try to keep you as up-to-date as possible here. We’ll also continue to update what is known about gunman Aaron Alexis in a separate post.
Here’s the beginnings of a timeline:
Around August 25th
Alexis Comes to Washington, D.C. Area (source: Valerie Parlave, FBI Washington Assistant Director in Charge)
We can say that we have determined that Mr. Alexis arrived in the Washington, D.C. area on or about August 25th, and he has stayed at local hotels in the area since that time.
Saturday, September 7th
Alexis Stays at Residence Inn Hotel (source: Valerie Parlave, FBI)
Most recently, he is known to have stayed at a Residence Inn in Southwest Washington, D.C., starting on September 7th.
Sunday, September 15th
Alexis Purchases Remington 870 Shotgun from Local Gun Shop (source: SharpShooters via Washington Post)
The lawyer for SharpShooters Small Arms Range and gun shop in Lorton, J. Michael Slocum, [Tuesday] afternoon released a statement saying that Aaron Alexis purchased a Remington 870 shotgun and about two boxes of shells on Sunday. Slocum said Sharpshooters ran a background check on Alexis through the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System database and was approved. Prior to the purchase, Alexis rented a rifle, purchased some ammunition and fired in the SharpShooters shooting range, Slocum said. The Sunday visit was the only one by Alexis to SharpShooters, Slocum said.
Monday, September 16th
Alexis Enters Navy Yard Using Valid ID Pass (source: Valerie Parlave, FBI)
Mr. Alexis had legitimate access to the Navy Yard as a result of his work as a contractor, and he utilized a valid pass to gain entry to the building.
Alexis Enters Building 197 of the Navy Yard With Shotgun (source: Valerie Parlave, FBI)
At this time, we believe that Mr. Alexis entered Building 197 at the Navy Yard with a shotgun. We do not have any information at this time that he had an AR-15 in his possession. We also believe Mr. Alexis may have gained access to a handgun once inside the facility and after he began shooting.
Approximately 8:20 a.m. Shooting Begins (source: CNN)
Within Two Minutes Officers Arrive at Navy Yard (source: D.C. Police via Wall Street Journal)
Within two minutes of receiving the 911 call, two units of heavily-armed officers arrived at the Navy Yard gate, according to Police Chief Cathy Lanier.
Within Seven Minutes Police Units Arrive at Building 197 (source: D.C. Police via Wall Street Journal)
Due to the multitude of reports of shots fired, officers were initially unsure which building to go to first. About seven minutes after the 911 call, two police units were outside Building 197, heard gunfire inside, and entered the building.
Officers Enter Building 197, Engage Gunman (source: D.C. Police via Wall Street Journal)
The officers “heroically went into a building, witnessing multiple casualties, and continued to pursue and engage a gunman who was determined to kill as many people as possible,” Lanier said.
Between 30 minutes and one hour later the Shooting Ends (source: D.C. Police via Wall Street Journal)
The officers “heroically went into a building, witnessing multiple casualties, and continued to pursue and engage a gunman who was determined to kill as many people as possible,” Lanier said.
