UPDATE: Four Dead, Seven Injured In NAS Pensacola Shooting

December 6, 2019

Four people are dead after an active shooter at NAS Pensacola just before 7 a.m. Friday.

The shooter and two other victims passed away at the scene of the shooting; one later died at the hospital. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Congressman Matt Gaetz have confirmed the shooter was a Saudi national.

There were seven additional victims being treated at Baptist Hospital, including two deputies. One deputy was shot in the knee and was in surgery; the second deputy was shot in the arm. Both are expected to recover, according to Sheriff David Morgan.

Morgan confirmed that Escambia County deputies “did negate the threat”, shooting and killing the gunman at the scene.

The gunman used a handgun, Morgan said.

The names of the victims will not be released until notification of next of kin is made.

NAS Commander Tim Kinsella said the shooting occurred in a classroom building and played out over two floors of the building. The shooting occurred in Building 633.

Kinsella would not speculate if the incident might be terrorism.

“I don’t even want to speculate on that,” Kinsella said.

“This is a tragic day for Pensacola,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Our hearts and prayers (are with) all those that serve us everyday,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “This is a resilient community. We will overcome this.”

The public should avoid the entire area around the base; the base is locked down and closed until further notice.

There was a World War II Remembrance ceremony planned for 10 a.m. today at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The Tate High School Vocal Jazz and Wind Ensemble were scheduled to perform. NorthEscambia.com has confirmed that the Tate High School students were not yet on base.

Updates also on our Facebook page. Like and follow: https://www.facebook.com/NorthEscambia

Further details will be posted as they become available.

Pictured: NAS Commander Tim Kinsella during a press conference near the base main gate Friday morning. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

32 Responses to “UPDATE: Four Dead, Seven Injured In NAS Pensacola Shooting”

  1. Carl on December 7th, 2019 1:40 am

    So, who is in charge of the Navy, and why aren’t we on him/her for disarming it?

  2. Stumpknocker on December 7th, 2019 12:13 am

    Just curious, we have a military base, that had an active shooter that they can’t handle or stop. They call Im the Ecso to eliminate the threat. I always hear so much praise for the military and rightfully so. However people need to stop bashing police and realize they are hero’s every day and make sacrifices. Just remember when there is an active shooter or someone kicking in your door , it won’t be the military coming to your aid, it’ll be the police. Point is support or law enforcement. So many retire with medical problems that is work related and there is no help or disability for them at all.

  3. Joseph Hutchcraft on December 6th, 2019 11:37 pm

    PRAYING for all who are currently grieving the loss of a loved on and those injured and their families. A job well done to those who participated in stopping the the. Well you fill in that blank. But again why are we even training others. It’s time we start worrying about OUR own. Veterans, homeless and the elderly and not third world countries

  4. Mike Yarborough on December 6th, 2019 11:25 pm

    Have known Officer Hogue since our days together stationed on USS Lexington. One of the finest. I know he didnt hesitate to stop this monster. Prayers to all .Speedy recovery Charles. We Love you big guy! Mike& Dawn

  5. CJ on December 6th, 2019 10:56 pm

    GUNS DO NOT KILL. People kill.

  6. Christian on December 6th, 2019 10:27 pm

    @Thom Roddy

    I couldnt have said it better myself

  7. Tatanisha Surry on December 6th, 2019 9:19 pm

    Today was a sad day as I was driving through this, I send my condolences to all the victims and law enforcement officers who was injured…may God the father heal your hearts

  8. mike on December 6th, 2019 8:46 pm

    When people say they can’t imagine this happening here, stop thinking like that. Americans must have the mindset that this is an everyday possibility from now on. Bloody hindsight is not acceptable. The terrorists are here living among us. Prayers for the victims and their families and to the bastard that did this BURN IN HELL!

  9. Jesse Chavours on December 6th, 2019 6:33 pm

    This is why we need gun control. Not to hinder the rights of gun owners, but to protect innocent victims from needless harm. My love and prayers go out to the families of the victims. I hope that they can find all the support that they need during this difficult time.

  10. OC2 on December 6th, 2019 5:59 pm

    A sad day for Pensacola and the military community. Proud of our NAS Security team for isolating the perp and for the LE Officers who engaged and eliminated the threat.

    I would ask that everyone focus their energy on those whose lives are forever changed. It is a waste of energy to interject theory and rhetoric about this situation. NASP is a high traffic base and those security officers guarding the base do a heck of a good job. Let’s allow the investigators to present the facts and do what is needed to continue our local tradition and record of providing safe facilities which train the finest warriors.

  11. Thom Roddy on December 6th, 2019 5:27 pm

    I served in the Navy for over 25 years and remain puzzled when I read that county Sheriff’s Deputy’s were the ones who took out the shooter. Deputies are not stationed on base, or maybe they should be. What we should have are more armed Sailors who are trained to take out a threat, it is after all the military.

    I know Navy leadership is afraid that they may be putting a gun in the hands of the next shooter. The reality is law enforcement across the country have to ask themselves that same question everyday, but they continue to take that risk.

    Navy leaders have turned military installations into “Gun Free Zones.” Let that sink in.

  12. Retired CSM on December 6th, 2019 5:14 pm

    @Charlotte
    Evidently you haven’t served in the military. If DOD allowed service members to carry their assigned military weapon the carnage would be devastating if someone decided to act on an urge.That will NEVER happen.

  13. Rufus Lowgun on December 6th, 2019 5:04 pm

    The reason trainees aren’t allowed to carry weapons on base is because experience has shown that 18-21 young people, even member of the armed forces, running around with loaded weapons tend to shoot each other with them more than is deemed necessary. To put it another way, it’s the military that doesn’t want all of it’s people armed all of the time, and they have valid reasons for it.

  14. James on December 6th, 2019 4:44 pm

    Law Enforcement stops another bad guy. Colin Keapernick and Nike cant be happy.

  15. Dean MacKenzie on December 6th, 2019 4:13 pm

    What I do not understand is the fact that base police are trained to handle things like this. What I have seen over the years is the fact that some base commanders know very little about how the base police are trained and also have never worked with civilian’s, they mainly work with military. This also apply’s to Security Officer’s some think the military are better trained ,wrong. Some Security Officer’s put military above the civilian, when in fact the civilian is rated higher then the military. A Sgt. or corporal in the civilian side is higher than a E-6 or E-7. Once they figure out things, the U.S. Navy should be on a Provost Marshal system, that way the power of police work, law enforcement, base security is handled by the Provost Marshal. This may be the reason they were not allowed to enter the building because the base CO said no.

  16. Mary on December 6th, 2019 3:11 pm

    @Paul Dulake…no sir, prayers are never wasted, they mean a lot! My husband, his dad, my dad…a long history of serving in military and working on base as civilians. I never imagined something this hideous would happen at N.A.S.

  17. Charlotte on December 6th, 2019 2:43 pm

    We train our young men to fight, yet they are not allowed to carry their firearm on base because it’s a ‘gun free zone’. The gun free zones do NOT protect anyone but the perpetrators.
    Praying for those injured and the families of those that lost their lives. Praying that those in power see the benefit of letting these soldiers be armed on base. Our teachers are now carrying in our schools, and the signs outside of the schools give advanced warning. Pray that these based will do the same!

  18. Charlie on December 6th, 2019 1:36 pm

    Now I’m lookin up at every military trainer in a different light

  19. Charlie on December 6th, 2019 1:35 pm

    One of there finest over here for flight training will wait and see if I was a betting man

  20. k on December 6th, 2019 1:27 pm

    John asked earlier:

    Doesn’t base police have weapons? Certainly sounds like they did not!⚓️

    @John: current reports indicate that base security managed to isolate the shooter to two floors of building 633. once the perimeter around him was held by base security, ECSO advanced to contact and eliminated him.

    1 deputy injured in the shoulder, 1 deputy hit in the knee, undergoing surgery.

    hope that helps.

  21. Navy Mom on December 6th, 2019 1:24 pm

    Barry Swierczewski people have died. I don’t feel your biggest concern today should be towards vehicle screenings. People are donating blood, taking care of grieving loved ones, tending to victims, investigating the crime. A few minutes of your time is certainly worth someone’s life. Thoughts and prayers with all affected .

  22. Sarah Bingham on December 6th, 2019 1:18 pm

    My heart goes out to the families that were harmed by the senseless shooting. I was raised in Pensacola and never dreamed something like this could happen. I pray that this will stop. It doesn’t solve anything, just more heartbreak. May God heal the hurt in Pensacola .

  23. Denise Tabor on December 6th, 2019 1:12 pm

    Sending prayers to all involved. Such a sad day

  24. John on December 6th, 2019 12:41 pm

    Doesn’t base police have weapons? Certainly sounds like they did not!⚓️

  25. Jo Mantz on December 6th, 2019 12:32 pm

    My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones today. Prayers for them and all at the Air Base. These things are so senseless and hard to fathom. Thankful for the quick actions of the Sheriff’s Office. Prayers for those in hospital. May God bless you all and keep you safe.

  26. paul dulake on December 6th, 2019 11:43 am

    my condolences go to the families of the people who lost their lives through no fault of their own..i hope that the injured heal quickly and positively.
    i an from london england but have great friends in molino ,just outside pensacola so we do have ties with you guys there and it sickens me to think that there are people who have no thought for the lives of others whom they dont know.
    i know that this does not mean much but we are praying for you all,especially the grieving families and loved ones,and the injured and their loved ones too.
    so sad.but i know some people from pensacola and they will not let it beat them.

  27. Marc Sackman on December 6th, 2019 11:35 am

    Such a sad day. Good job Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Wishing a speedy recovery to all involved

  28. Shirley Drew on December 6th, 2019 10:10 am

    We’re the staff on hand able to have weapons on them during this tragedy?

  29. Citizen on December 6th, 2019 9:25 am

    This is tragic. Praying for everyone.

  30. CJ on December 6th, 2019 9:22 am

    Prayers for all involved

  31. Taylon on December 6th, 2019 9:09 am

    My brother-in-law works on base so it’s been a very stressful hour since he first let us know what was going on. Luckily he’s currently safe. Prayers out to everyone else on base.

    One very very weird coincidence was the report yesterday about the “unfounded” shooting rumor for Tate High School. The Tate band was supposed to be on base today. The same day that the rumor of the “unfounded” shooting was supposed to take place. Was the rumor correct, but just the location was wrong? If I was a conspiracy nut I’d say yes.

    Anyway I hope only the shooter is dead and everyone else is able to recover.

  32. Barry Swierczewski on December 6th, 2019 8:57 am

    Sheesh.

    Hawaii, Pensacola. Submarine service doesn’t have PRP anymore?

    More random vehicle screenings to come no doubt.