Unraveling The Horror

Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis previously arrested in Fort Worth on gun charges

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.

Photo courtesy of Busted Mug Shots

Aaron Alexis of Fort Worth has been identified as the Navy Yard shooter.

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Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill to legalize marijuana

Redheaded Blackbelt

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Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana