FBI thinks Saudi shooter acted alone, Florida governor decries 'deep-seated' hatred

[webfact]

FBI thinks Saudi shooter acted alone, Florida governor decries 'deep-seated' hatred

By Brad Brooks

 

FILE PHOTO: Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, airman accused of killing three people at a U.S. Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, is seen in an undated military identification card photo released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation December 7, 2019. FBI/Handout via REUTERS.

 

PENSACOLA, Fla. (Reuters) - Investigators believe a Saudi Air Force lieutenant acted alone when he killed three people and wounded eight at a U.S. Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, before being fatally shot by a deputy sheriff, the FBI said on Sunday.

 

But they have yet to determine a motive for the rampage, even though fellow Saudi students at the base who were close to the shooter are cooperating with investigators, said Rachel Rojas, special agent in charge of the FBI's Jacksonville office and lead investigator on the case.

 

Rojas said the FBI was working, as it does in most mass shootings, on the presumption that it was an act of terrorism, but she stressed that was largely to allow investigators to use special tools afforded to them in terrorism cases.

 

"We are looking very hard at uncovering his motive and I would ask for patience so we can get this right," she said, adding that 80 FBI special agents, 100 support staff and scores of other investigators from the Navy and multiple federal agencies were working the case.

 

The FBI identified the shooter as Second Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, 21, and said he opened fire inside a classroom at the base early on Friday morning.

 

Rojas said the pistol he used - a Glock 9mm handgun that can be paired with a magazine holding 33 rounds - was legally purchased by the shooter somewhere in Florida. According to U.S. regulations, it is legal for a foreigner in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to buy a gun if certain conditions are met - including if they simply have a hunting license.

 

Alshamrani was on the base as part of a U.S. Navy training program designed to foster links with foreign allies. He had started training in the United States in 2017 and had been in the Pensacola area for the past 18 months, authorities said.

 

His fellow Saudi students were speaking directly with American investigators and were restricted to the base on order of the Saudi military, Rojas said.

 

"I thank the kingdom for their pledge of full and complete cooperation," she added.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were "devastated" by what took place and pledged to help families of the victims.

 

But members of Congress representing Florida have blasted the U.S. government for not already labeling the shooting as a terrorist attack and have demanded more details about what the Saudi government is doing to help the investigation and prevent future violence by members of its military.

 

The attack comes as the Trump administration has maintained warm ties with Riyadh amid Saudi involvement in the war in Yemen, high tensions with Middle East rival Iran, and continued political fallout from the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

 

A group that tracks online extremism has said Alshamrani appeared to have posted criticism of U.S. wars in predominantly Muslim countries and quoted slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Twitter hours before the shooting spree.

 

In English, he also wrote that he hated the American people for "committing crimes not only against Muslims but also humanity," and he criticized Washington's support for Israel, according to analysis by the SITE Intelligence Group.

 

Reuters has not verified the authenticity of the account, @M&MD_SHAMRANI, which was suspended by Twitter on Friday.

 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking at a Sunday afternoon press conference, answered "yes, yes" when asked if he considered the shooting an act of terrorism.

 

"There is a lot of frustration in our state over this," DeSantis said. "You have foreign military personnel coming to our base. They should not be doing that if they hate our country."

 

DeSantis said Alshamrani took advantage of a "federal loophole" to buy the gun he used, and he confirmed that the suspect, since arriving in the United States in 2017, made a return trip to Saudi Arabia and also recently visited New York. The governor declined to give further details.

 

"He had a deep-seated hatred for the United States," DeSantis said. "For us to be bringing in these foreign nationals, you have to take precautions. Bringing in people from Saudi Arabia - we need to be on guard against that."

 

Alshamrani was one of about 200 foreigners at the Pensacola base and thousands around the United States who participate in military training, a program that U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said was "very important to our national security."

 

Esper told "Fox News Sunday" that he had asked top defense officials to make sure all necessary precautions were taken to ensure safety at military installations, and that he asked the Pentagon to review screening procedures for military personnel from other countries coming to the United States for training.

 

Those personnel were already screened by the departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security, Esper said.

 

(Reporting by Brad Brooks; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-09

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[Tug]

2 of his buddy’s recording acted alone eeehhhh?i smell a coverup 

[Cabradelmar]

First Saudi Nationals take down the world trade and now a Saudi military office shoots up a military installation... Might want to reconsider Saudi citizens travel privileges in the US... 

[Opl]

"I was not surprised because this is the culture of the Saudi Army," said Ali Ahmed, a Saudi analyst in Washington who was stripped of his citizenship due to his outspoken criticism of the regime. “They teach ISIS, Al Qaeda literature in the Saudi military,” he added, including that singles out Christians and Jews as enemies.

[TopDeadSenter]

Seems to prove Trump was bang on the money with his overturned travel ban. But I don't hear any apologies from those attacking him when he was trying to keep us safe by making it difficult for members of this ideology to get easy visas. Oh well, I suppose deep down we all know he was right.

[FritsSikkink]

5 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Seems to prove Trump was bang on the money with his overturned travel ban. But I don't hear any apologies from those attacking him when he was trying to keep us safe by making it difficult for members of this ideology to get easy visas. Oh well, I suppose deep down we all know he was right.

The travel ban wasn't for Saudis as these are his and previous presidents buddies.

[Tonyt00]

Yeah, a Glock 9mm is a great gun for hunting! 

[moe666]

24 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Seems to prove Trump was bang on the money with his overturned travel ban. But I don't hear any apologies from those attacking him when he was trying to keep us safe by making it difficult for members of this ideology to get easy visas. Oh well, I suppose deep down we all know he was right.

Better take a look at his ban, no ban on the Saudis the country whose citizens took down the world trade center. The ban was for countries whose citizens have never attacked us. 

[Tippaporn]

3 hours ago, Tug said:

2 of his buddy’s recording acted alone eeehhhh?i smell a coverup 

For once I agree with you, Tug.  I'm sure it won't be habit forming, though, LOL.

[Bluespunk]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Rojas said the pistol he used - a Glock 9mm handgun that can be paired with a magazine holding 33 rounds - was legally purchased by the shooter somewhere in Florida. According to U.S. regulations, it is legal for a foreigner in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to buy a gun if certain conditions are met - including if they simply have a hunting license.

The glock is well known for it's use in hunting, is it...

[Nyezhov]

5 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

The glock is well known for it's use in hunting, is it...

I know some guys that have hunted Gators and Pigs with them.  Hawaaiin guys carry them as backup when they spear hunt pigs. Ive shot some Coyotes with a 9mm myself, altho not a Glock.

 

So yes, among hunters and gun folks, it is.

[Bluespunk]

18 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I know some guys that have hunted Gators and Pigs with them.  Hawaaiin guys carry them as backup when they spear hunt pigs. Ive shot some Coyotes with a 9mm myself, altho not a Glock.

 

So yes, among hunters and gun folks, it is.

Then the world is a much sadder place than I thought it was.

[NanLaew]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Rojas said the pistol he used - a Glock 9mm handgun that can be paired with a magazine holding 33 rounds - was legally purchased by the shooter somewhere in Florida. According to U.S. regulations, it is legal for a foreigner in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to buy a gun if certain conditions are met - including if they simply have a hunting license.

Nothing wrong with that, eh? I mean just like an American, he needs that gun for finding food and for protection in case the US government goes rogue on his ass.

[bristolboy]

24 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I know some guys that have hunted Gators and Pigs with them.  Hawaaiin guys carry them as backup when they spear hunt pigs. Ive shot some Coyotes with a 9mm myself, altho not a Glock.

 

So yes, among hunters and gun folks, it is.

4 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Then the world is a much sadder place than I thought it was.

If, in fact, he's telling the truth. Some posters are prolific inventors of their alleged personal experiences.

 

 

[Credo]

27 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I know some guys that have hunted Gators and Pigs with them.  Hawaaiin guys carry them as backup when they spear hunt pigs. Ive shot some Coyotes with a 9mm myself, altho not a Glock.

 

So yes, among hunters and gun folks, it is.

Oh, so he had a hunting license.   Was that valid for Hawaii?   Was it for hunting pigs (I mean he is a Muslim)?    

This is a pretty big loophole in the gun laws.

 

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Seems to prove Trump was bang on the money with his overturned travel ban. But I don't hear any apologies from those attacking him when he was trying to keep us safe by making it difficult for members of this ideology to get easy visas. Oh well, I suppose deep down we all know he was right.

DJT's Muslim travel ban, if upheld, would not have have applied to Saudi military personnel attending training courses in the US.

[LomSak27]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Seems to prove Trump was bang on the money with his overturned travel ban. But I don't hear any apologies from those attacking him when he was trying to keep us safe by making it difficult for members of this ideology to get easy visas. Oh well, I suppose deep down we all know he was right.

 

Saudi Arabia was never part of POTUS Travel ban   Oooops

 

 

You must have enjoyed Trump immediately getting in touch with the Saudi rulers to console them, in this their moment of pain and embarrassment.  Shades of Bush Jr., getting the Saudis a charter flight out of the USA, post 9/11. My, oh my, what Republican presidents won't do for those Saudis. They love muslims.

 

 

[sirineou]

5 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

Shades of Bush Jr., getting the Saudis a charter flight out of the USA, post 9/11. My, oh my, what Republican presidents won't do for those Saudis. They love muslims.

 Not all Muslims

I think what they love is Green and it aint Kermit the frog.

[wabothai]

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

I know some guys that have hunted Gators and Pigs with them.  Hawaaiin guys carry them as backup when they spear hunt pigs. Ive shot some Coyotes with a 9mm myself, altho not a Glock.

 

So yes, among hunters and gun folks, it is.

Were the coyotes going after you?

[Nyezhov]

54 minutes ago, Credo said:

Oh, so he had a hunting license.   Was that valid for Hawaii?   Was it for hunting pigs (I mean he is a Muslim)?    

This is a pretty big loophole in the gun laws.

 

No idea, I always thought that loophole as to Non Immigrant Aliens was stupid myself. Most of the foreigner visitors who hunted in Alaska are German and rich enough to bring their own.

[samran]

2 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Seems to prove Trump was bang on the money with his overturned travel ban. But I don't hear any apologies from those attacking him when he was trying to keep us safe by making it difficult for members of this ideology to get easy visas. Oh well, I suppose deep down we all know he was right.

The Saudis were never part of the ban, but based on your comments it seem like you are very trusting fellow able to discern BS from real facts.

 

Given this, I just wanted to tell you I’ve got a bridge over Sydney Harbour for sale. I think you’d make a perfect new owner. 

[TopDeadSenter]

36 minutes ago, samran said:

The Saudis were never part of the ban, but based on your comments it seem like you are very trusting fellow able to discern BS from real facts.

 

Given this, I just wanted to tell you I’ve got a bridge over Sydney Harbour for sale. I think you’d make a perfect new owner. 

I think you well know that Donald, myself and other rational thinkers are hamstrung and unable to speak freely, and so do our best to abide by political correctness. Suffice to say, if logic and sanity had prevailed, this latest islamic terror event would not have happened. Nor would the Pulse event, nor the Boston bombing. You get the drift.

[samran]

20 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I think you well know that Donald, myself and other rational thinkers are hamstrung and unable to speak freely, and so do our best to abide by political correctness. Suffice to say, if logic and sanity had prevailed, this latest islamic terror event would not have happened. Nor would the Pulse event, nor the Boston bombing. You get the drift.

Yes, a persecuted minority with no political power at all. Totally hamstrung....

[phantomfiddler]

6 hours ago, Tug said:

2 of his buddy’s recording acted alone eeehhhh?i smell a coverup 

My guess is that they knew it was going to happen, and as such are accomplices !

[Tchooptip]

"U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were "devastated" by what took place and pledged to help families of the victims"

 

What about the familly of Jamal Khashoggi? ????

[toenail]

-More easy to buy a gun than buying a six pack of beer on a Sunday morning, or a couple boxes of Sudafed, or going through security in airports in the USA

[from the home of CC]

Very sad event but really have to wonder about the intelligence of allowing these folks on a US airbase in light of history..

[wwest5829]

6 hours ago, Opl said:

"I was not surprised because this is the culture of the Saudi Army," said Ali Ahmed, a Saudi analyst in Washington who was stripped of his citizenship due to his outspoken criticism of the regime. “They teach ISIS, Al Qaeda literature in the Saudi military,” he added, including that singles out Christians and Jews as enemies.

I can accept this as quite possible. I would observe that the US military, and Some of the right wing civilian population holds this type of thinking regarding the ME.

[wwest5829]

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

DJT's Muslim travel ban, if upheld, would not have have applied to Saudi military personnel attending training courses in the US.

If I remember correctly, Saudi Arabia in general was not on the list of restricted or banned immigrant countries.

[wwest5829]

33 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

Very sad event but really have to wonder about the intelligence of allowing these folks on a US airbase in light of history..

I can accept discussing this as long as we can also discuss the intelligence of the US military actions in the ME (I do not point the finger solely at the military, they are carrying out the orders of our elected US Representatives).