Three US Navy sailors were killed after a gunman [ Mohammed Alshamrani, a 21-year-old second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force ] opened fire at Pensacola US Navy base in Florida, US Navy officials said. December 6, 2019.
"When confronted ... they ran towards it and saved lives. If not for their actions, and the actions of the Naval Security Force that were the first responders on the scene, this incident could have been far worse," said Capt. Tim Kinsella, the base commander officer.
Official Party:
Hon. Thomas B. Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy
Adm. Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations
Col. G. Brian Eddy, Commander, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations
Carry team carries transfer case of Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson to the mortuary transfer vehicle
Carry team carries transfer case of Seaman Mohammed S. Haitham to the mortuary transfer vehicle
14 Dec 2019 By Richard Sisk
The Navy on Saturday announced the "right and fitting" posthumous promotions of two enlisted sailors who tried to stop a deadly shooting rampage at Naval Air Station Pensacola Dec. 6, 2019
Airman Mohammed S. Haitham, 19, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Airman Apprentice Cameron S. Walters, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, were both advanced, effective Dec. 12, 2019 to the rank of Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 3rd Class, the Navy said in a release.
Haitham, Walters and Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, of Enterprise, Alabama, were killed when Saudi 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani opened fire with a legally purchased Glock 45 9mm handgun in a classroom building, according to the FBI.
Carry team carries transfer case of Seaman Apprentice Cameron S. Walters to the mortuary transfer vehicle
Captain Timothy Kinsella, the base commander, has said that all three Sailors took actions to try to stop the shooter and saved "countless lives" as a result.eight others were injured in the attack.
Door Attendant: Staff Sgt. Siannie L. Concepcion, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations
Final Steps. Mortuary vehicle driver starts engine, and Security Forces vehicle moves into escort position in front.
Transfer vehicle begins to pull away. Dignified transfer officer orders final “Present, Arms” and “Order, Arms” (slow salute) as vehicle departs.
The sailors were Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, of St. Petersburg, Florida; Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, of Richmond Hill, Georgia; and Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, from Coffee County, Alabama.
A U.S. official said the FBI confirmed it is operating on the assumption the attack was an act of terrorism.
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