CLARK FREEPORT – The Philippine embassy in Washington cited yesterday “initial reports” that there was no Filipino casualty in the shooting rampage that killed 12 persons, including the suspect, at the Washington Navy Yard the other day.
This, even as Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. issued yesterday a statement saying: “The Philippine government and the Filipino people join the rest of the world in mourning with all those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy at the Washington Navy Yard this morning.”
While US authorities declined to release the names of those killed except for the suspected shooter named Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old military contractor from Texas, Consul Elmer Cato, spokesperson of the Philippine embassy, said “initial reports indicate that there are no Filipinos among casualties.”
Cato, however, said that “the embassy is still contacting authorities to make sure no Filipino is among dead or wounded.” CNN reported yesterday that 14 more persons were injured during the incident, even as authorities continued search for more information about the suspect.
While the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ruled out any other shooters in the rampage at the headquarters for Naval Sea Systems Command, Metropolitan Police were trying to track down at least one person to determine whether that individual had any involvement.
The other possible suspect was described as a black male, between 40 and 50, wearing an “olive drab- colored” military-style uniform.
CNN said the suspect who was reported to be staying at the Washington hotel, drove to gain entry into the command post by showing his military contractor identification card. . He then walked to the Naval Sea Systems Command and went up to the atrium and started shooting down, the report said.
The suspect, who was later gunned down by authorities, was armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun and a semi-automatic Glock. It is believed he used the AR-15 for most of the shooting.
