Yesterday morning, 13 people went to work at the oldest naval base in the country and never returned. Just before 8:30am, a man rained pistol and shotgun fire from a fourth floor balcony into the courtyard, sending survivors running for cover. Those who were not shot were hiding during a lock-down that lasted well into the night and spread to adjacent public streets and even bridges while police searched — room by room — for the shooter.
Law enforcement did find him, exchanged gunfire, and shot dead the rampager. However, due to various reports and rumors during the panic, police continued to hunt for other potential accomplices. A couple of my own friends were unreachable until late in the evening because of the emergency. Both were only able to reach out via Facebook from their sheltered positions or once they got home. Unfortunately, 13 were never able to make that kind of reassuring Facebook update and another 8 ended up in local hospitals.
In their memory, President Barack H. Obama ordered that all U.S. flags be lowered to half-mast until 6:00pm Friday, September 20th.
Here are the names of those who fell at Navy Yard:
- Michael Arnold, 59
- Kathy Gaarde, 62
- Arthur Daniels, 51
- Martin Bodrog, 54
- Richard M. Ridgell, 52
- Sylvia Frasier, 53
- John R. Johnson, 73
- Frank Kohler, 50
- Kenneth B. Proctor, 46
- Vishnu Shalchendia Pandit, 61
- Mary F. Knight, 51
- Gerald L. Read, 58
Keep these men, women, and their grieving family, friends, and colleagues in your prayers.