Not a Terrorist They Say

Aaron Alexis, a 34 year old black male, a convert to Buddhism, shot and killed 12 people this morning at the Washington Navy Yard, and was killed in a shootout with the police at that location. Until two years ago, Alexis worked for the Navy as an Aviation Electrician Mate at Fort Worth, Texas but left the Navy because he didn't like to get up early. The victims who died were not military people but were contractors, ages varying form 46 to 73 years. 


Alexis had legitimate access (a security clearance) to the Navy Yard, in spite of the fact that he had been arrested twice, once in Seattle, WA in 2004 for shooting out a man's car tires in what was described as "an anger fueled blackout." He was arrested again in 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas for shooting into his neighbor's apartment. She stated that she was terrified of Alexis and apparently has more sense than the Navy who gave him his clearance.

But in spite of the terror Alexis brought to the Navy Yard on this day, he was also a winner of a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. How ironic. There are no indications of terrorist ties, so he probably will not be labeled a terrorist, and since he did not shout, "Allahu akbar!" he will not be labeled as a disgruntled worker like Nidal Hasan.

His mother lives in Brooklyn, New York, having moved there several years ago. At the time of this writing, she is being interviewed by the FBI and NYPD. 

He will never have to worry about getting up early again.


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