Alleged Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old black male from Fort Worth, had previously been arrested on gun charges before going on a rampage that has left at least 12 people — including himself — dead.
According to reports from the Fort Worth Police Department and confirmed by Tarrant County spokesman Marc Flake, Alexis was arrested for "discharging a gun within the city limits."
The offense, which occurred September 4, 2010, took place at the Oak Hill Apartments at 2450 Oak Hill Road. Alexis reportedly fired a gun from the floor of his apartment through the ceiling of his neighbor in the floor above him.
At the time, Alexis' neighbor told police he had confronted her in the past about noise and she was "terrified" of him. Alexis deflected police attention by claiming the shooting was an accident that occurred while cleaning his gun. The firearm was covered in oil and located next to a cleaning kit when police arrived.
Alexis was booked into Fort Worth jail but it is unclear whether any further action was taken. Calls to Fort Worth Police Sheriff's Office were not immediately returned.
Alexis was working as a civilian contractor for the Navy and reportedly entered the building using another man's ID card, who is believed to be recently demoted or discharged. Authorities don't currently believe Alexis and the man whose ID he used worked in concert.
According to the a statement from the Navy, shots rang out around 8:20 am (Eastern time) and employees were told to shelter in place as emergency personnel worked to secure the area.
Reports on the mass shooting have been frantic and fraught with errors and concrete information about the attack is still scarce. No motive in the shooting has been identified.
Aaron Alexis of Fort Worth has been identified as the Navy Yard shooter.
