By Talal Ansari and
Nancy A. Youssef
Updated Dec. 6, 2019 3:27 pm ET
A member of the Saudi Air Force training at a U.S. Navy base in Florida is suspected of killing at least three people and injuring eight, in a shooting that is being investigated as potential terrorism, authorities said.
The shooter, who used a handgun, also died during the incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola early Friday, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said at a news conference. Officials said they aren’t looking for any other assailants.
“I believe we can safely call this an act of terror, not an act of workplace violence,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.), whose district includes Pensacola, said in a local TV interview. He said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is taking over the investigation.
At a White House event, President Trump called the shooting “a horrible thing” and said “we’re getting to the bottom of it.” Mr. Trump said on Twitter that King Salman of Saudi Arabia “called to express his sincere condolences” and to say the Saudi people are “greatly angered by the barbaric actions” of the shooter.
Two deputies who responded to a 6:51 a.m. emergency call were shot, one in the arm and one in the leg, during an exchange of gunfire with the shooter. They are being treated for their injuries and are expected to recover.
Escambia County Deputy Sheriff Chip Simmons said the department’s deputies “neutralized the threat in short order” upon arrival.
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