That guy should never have passed a background check to receive a pass onto that base.
Then, when he came on base that night and did not have all of the necessary paperwork, despite his pass, he should never have been allowed on base.
Heads need to roll.
I talked to some folks on NNS (Norfolk Naval Station). Apparently the young Petty Officer 2nd Class, Mark Mayo, was the Head of the Base Watch. He saw the truck come on base and was suspicious because of an incident with a similar truck (different driver) some days earlier.
He followed it and when he saw it stop near the USS Mahan and the driver get out and start up the gang way...he began running to the ship. The Sailor at the top of the gangway on watch was a female sailor whom this person approached and then began struggling with. He (this large, powerfully built ex-convict who had spent time in prison for attempted murder and crack cocaine) overpowered her and took her gun.
That’s when Mayo arrived and pushed the female sailor to the deck and himself took the bullets the intruder fired. That gave the other sailors on watch on the USS Mahan the time to fire their weapons and cut the intruder down.
". . .the Navy is launching a second investigation - on top of one being conducted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service - that will examine how the shooter made it through the gate as well as another checkpoint before the pier."
Additionally,
"Mario Palomino, NCIS's agent in charge, said investigators haven't determined a motive. They don't think the assailant, who Palomino said did not work for the Defense Department, knew anyone on the Mahan.And they don't think the attack was planned.
"We have been able to rule out any additional threat to the Navy," Palomino said. "We have ruled out any link to terrorism."
"RULED OUT ANY LINK TO TERRORISM", "attack wasn't planned" -
Pray tell, based on what evidence?!
Appreciate the details, Jeff. I’m still in disbelief. What a fine young man we’ve lost.
Not to overstate the obvious but Background checks, including security clearances have a huge, gaping hole in their flank, especially in recent years.
He did not have a pass to be on the base.
He had an ID, but that would not have allowed him on the base.