Shooting at Northrop Grumman, Pascagoula, Mississippi

[Ender Wiggin]

...but was detained by Northrop employees...

I wonder how the Northrop employees detained the armed shooter?

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I agree. The big question that always comes up is 'How did he get a gun in a place like this?' It's like seeing a bank robbery and asking the same question. Most of these places are concentrating on what going out, not coming in. It's very difficult to stop somebody from doing something crazy, especially when they don't care if they live through the encounter.

[Ciexyz]

My sympathies to the work force at that plant, having to endure a shooting in their midst.

[ShiningPath]

They've got thousands of employees, subcontractors, vendors etc. coming and going all day. They can't search everyone.

In fact, more emphasis is placed on searching people as they leave for stolen items, than those coming in.

[psychopuppy]

Isn't that same city where the Squirrel Went Bezerk?

[WHBates]

"In fact, more emphasis is placed on searching people as they leave for stolen items, than those coming in."

Correct. But people don't really understand the myriad of security risks and threats or the reasons for the various mitigation techniques and procedures. It would be nice if protection from all risks and threats could be accomplished but sadly that isn't the case.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[HorsePlayer]

Isn't that same city where the Squirrel Went Bezerk?

Yep. It was in the First Self Righteous Church.

[SuziQ]

LOL on the squirrel, but the West Bank of the shipyard was the location of a famous UFO incident over 30 years ago.

[archy]

Can someone please tell me how anyone can just get through security at an installation, where the Navy has their military warship and submarine operations, building and retrofit operations, future "Stealth" building operations, with a gun, shoot people in the facility and get out again?

It's easy when most of those who might oppose such an atrocity are disarmed by regulation.

[blam]

"I wonder how the Northrop employees detained the armed shooter?"

I think he ran out of ammo.

[Ttap]

My brother works at the shipyard and was there during the ordeal. He drove the ambulance to get one of the victims to the hospital. My question to him was how someone could get a gun in the facility. He says there are 8000 - 9000 employees carrying keys, metal lunch boxes but importantly they wear steel-toed boots. It would take so many hours to go through security that some would never get to their job. It's interesting to read some of the comments - I'm not sure where those folks get their news, but some of the comments are way off base. Given the media doesn't always report the correct info I'd just soon wait for the official report. Once it became apparent there was a shooting employees were attempting to leave the building in addition employees were fainting and passing out. They certainly had their hands full. Also FYI - the brother and friend of the shooter were the ones that talked him into giving up the gun.

[Ttap]

My brother works there - the shooter's brother and a friend talked him into giving up the gun.

[Terridan]

As a former police officer in the area, I never even imagened the consequences prior to 9/11... call me naive... also, the biggest problem we ever had was invisible, odorless dangerous gas that unfortunately was fatal to some employees. The other constant pain was the everyday theft of "CB" radios... times are a changin' and someone better think of something when the Stealth Navy project begins... I know shipyards, just there has to be something that can be done.

[Terridan]

Ha! You are right and thanks for the laugh and the memories... ;) I remember the Admiral who got busted for his golf course and pool, built with funds from the DD project refurbishing.... ;)

[Terridan]

Thank you for writing this... and many thanks to your brother.

[Bottom_Gun]

yep, you got it, Visiting there as a contractor myself I showed my ID, opened my briefcase, and was passed through. With all the options I have for carrying, I could have gotten several handguns through the gate!

[SaltyJoe]

A stealth ship isn't a nuclear submarine.

A stealth ship isn't an advanced jet fighter or JSTAR.

If there were nuclear weapons on the stealth ship, there would be Navy and Marine Corps security all around those weapons.

If there was a nuclear engine on the stealth ship, there would be security all around the entranced to the engine room spaces.

A "stealth" ship probably has more to do with the angles of the ship, low profile, quiet propulsion (which may be a closely guarded secret...the props may be covered), and whatever stealthy material they stick onto the ship's skin.

In other words, the stealthy parts of the ship may not even be put onto the "stealth" ship until the post production phases. You can buy a copy of the "steal" ship in the form of a plastic model (I think Revell/Monogram makes the model).

Therefore, bringing a gun into your workplace in this area is as easy as bringing a gun into any work area around the nation.

I suspect if MSM hype is blown way out of proportion concerning "security" for a "stealth" ship, it's to try to steer gov't contracts out of a very "red" state area of the nation to a more "blue" state of a shipyard.

[Terridan]

Thanks for the info... I hope you are correct... although the nuclear subs were in fact retrofitted there in Pascagoula... does that mean the nukes were not present when this was done? And would they tell anyone? Doubt it.

[MikefromOhio]

Nuclear ships dont necessarily mean nuclear weapons....

You would generally see Marines around the ships anyway, but in a secluded part of the base. They wouldnt be at the front gate.