Yesterday tragedy struck America once again when 34-year-old Navy Contractor Aaron Alexis entered a Washington, D.C. Navy Yard Monday morning.

Armed with an AR-15 military-style assault rifle, a double-barreled shotgun and a handgun, Alexis killed 12 people before being gunned down by police. 

From The New York Times:

The chaos at the facility, the Washington Navy Yard, started just after 8 a.m. Civilian employees described a scene of confusion as shots erupted through the hallways of the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters, on the banks of the Anacostia River a few miles from the White House and about a half-mile from the Capitol.

Officials said Mr. Alexis drove a rental car to the base and entered using his access as a contractor and shot an officer and one other person outside Building 197, the Sea Systems Command headquarters. Inside, Mr. Alexis made his way to a floor overlooking an atrium and took aim at employees eating breakfast below.”

Read more at The New York Times

Alexis had a series of run-ins with authorities while in the Navy Reserve, and received an early discharge under the Early Enlisted Transition Program.

He sought help from mental health specialists, authorities say.

Our condolences go out to the victims of this tragic event.

Thoughts on the shooting?

There are a number of stereotypes surrounding mass shootings and mental illness. 

Do you think these stereotypes are damaging the black community?

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