Pearl Harbor naval shipyard sent into lockdown after ‘mass shooting’
The gunman who shot up a naval shipyard in Hawaii has been identified as 22-year-old US sailor Gabriel Romero.
The US sailor who shot up the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard has been identified as Petty Officer Gabriel Romero.
The 22-year-old used his M4 service rifle in the shooting, killing two people and wounding a third before turning the gun on himself.
Sources identified Romero as the shooter to Hawaii News Now.
Romero was a crew member aboard the submarine USS Columbia, which was drydocked at the shipyard for maintenance.
Two people died after they were taken to hospital in a critical condition and a third person is still being treated. The identities of the victims have still not been released.
All three were male Department of Defence civilian workers. The incident took place at dry dock two about 2.30pm Hawaii time.
“Base security and Navy investigative services are currently investigating,” the base said.
“The names of the victims will not be released until the next of kin have been notified.”
One witness told Hawaii News Now he was at his desk when he heard loud pops.
“I kind of recognise that as gunshots,” the witness said.
“I looked out in time to see the shooter, who I assume was a sailor because he was in uniform … shoot himself.”
Witnesses said the scene was chaotic.
Hawaii News Now reports one of the victims is in an “extremely critical condition”.
We are currently monitoring reports of a mass shooting at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii pic.twitter.com/cELDv9bcU1
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) December 5, 2019
Shooting right next door to me at Pearl Harbor... we are safe. Prayers for the victims 😕
— Jenna Jameson (@jennajameson) December 5, 2019
The 15th Wing air force unit earlier reported on Facebook “there is an active shooter on base, please seek a secure location until further notice”.
The incident area has now been contained and the lockdown lifted.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and everyone involved,” said Rear Admiral Robert Chadwick, commander of Navy Region Hawaii.
“This is certainly a tragedy for everyone here.”
He said it wasn’t immediately clear whether the gunman knew the victims or if the three were targeted at random.
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