Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Video: Navy Yard Shooter Wielded Sawed-Off Shotgun

The FBI has released preliminary findings of the Sept. 16 Washington Navy Yard shooting that includes new details about the shooter's weapons, a timeline of his movements, and his mental state leading up to the shooting.

September 25, 2013
Video: Navy Yard Shooter Wielded Sawed-Off Shotgun

 

3 min to read


Ad Loading...

The FBI has released preliminary findings of the Sept. 16 Washington Navy Yard shooting that includes new details about the shooter's weapons, a timeline of his movements, and his mental state leading up to the shooting.

The release includes video surveillance footage showing Aaron Alexis, 34, entering the complex and stalking the hallways with a sawed-off Remington 870 shotgun and Beretta handgun he used as a lone-wolf gunman to kill 12 people and wound four others.

Alexis modified the shotgun he purchased at a northern Virginia gun shop two days before the shooting by sawing off the barrel and stock. He also added etchings indicating his mental illness, according to the FBI.

"Purple duct tape covered the end of the stock and handwritten etchings were present on various parts of the shotgun," according to the FBI release. "Etched into the barrel of the shotgun were the words 'End to the torment!' Etched into the right side of the shotgun receiver were the words 'Not what yall say!' and etched into the left side of the receiver were the phrases 'Better off this way!' and 'My ELF weapon!'"

Alexis, who was employed as a contractor for a private information technology firm, apparently believed he was "being controlled or influenced by extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves," according to the FBI.

Ad Loading...

"The etching of 'My ELF weapon!' on the left side of the receiver of the Remington 870 shotgun is believed to reference these electromagnetic waves," the FBI said. "In addition, a document retrieved from his electronic media stated, 'Ultra low frequency attack is what I've been subject to for the last three months, and to be perfectly honest that is what has driven me to this.'

Photo courtesy of FBI.

Alexis arrived in the Washington D.C. area on Aug. 25 to begin work at the Navy Yard earlier this month, according to the FBI timeline. From Aug. 25-31, he stayed at a hotel in Bethesda, Md. From Aug. 31-Sept. 7, he stayed at a hotel in Arlington, Va. On Sept. 7, he moved to the Residence Inn in southwest Washington. He began working at the Navy Yard two days later.

On Sept. 14, Alexis purchased the shotgun and ammunition. The same day, he purchased a hacksaw and other items at a home improvement store in northern Virginia.

Alexis arrived at the Navy Yard on the morning of Sept. 16 and used a valid pass to gain entry to Building 197. At one point during the rampage he obtained a Beretta handgun. He was shot and killed by responding Metro (D.C.) Police officers.

When he first arrived, Alexis drove a rented blue Toyota Prius into a parking garage across from Building 197 at 7:53 a.m. He entered Building 197 at 8:08 a.m. carrying a backpack and headed to the elevator. At 8:09 a.m., Alexis exited the elevator on the fourth floor and entered the men's bathroom carrying the backpack and a clipboard. At 8:15 a.m., Alexis crossed the hallway into the 4 West area of Building 197 carrying only the shotgun. He shot the first victim at 8:16 a.m. At 8:17 a.m., police received the first 9-1-1 call. At 8:20 a.m., Alexis left the fourth floor using stairs and entered the third floor. At 8:28 a.m., he appeared on the first floor. At 8:57 a.m., he returned to the third floor. At 9:25 a.m., police officers end the rampage by shooting and killing Alexis on the third floor.

Ad Loading...

Alexis was prepared to die in the attack and there are no indicators he was targeting specific people.

ELF technology was a legitimate program for naval sub-tonal submarine communications; however, conspiracy theories exist that misinterpret its application as the weaponization of remote neural frequencies for government monitoring and manipulation of unsuspecting citizens, according to the FBI.

More Patrol

POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →
Benchmade Bailout folding knife with a bronze tanto blade, taiga green handle, and orange accents displayed open against a textured black background, highlighting its lightweight tactical design.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout

Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.

Read More →
Composite image of ADEPT's Nova Titanium tactical helmet, showing front and side views alongside a soldier wearing the helmet in the field, highlighting lightweight ballistic protection for military and tactical applications.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight

Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two healthcare professionals model 5.11 medical scrubs—one in gray and one in blue—against a blurred hospital background, highlighting the brand’s professional apparel for medical workers.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals

The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.

Read More →
Close-up of a black SOG Seal FX knife featuring a commemorative 250th anniversary engraving on the blade, displayed on an American flag to honor the United States' semiquincentennial.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade

SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Read More →
Close-up of a slim black Streamlight Wedge SL flashlight resting on an olive tactical vest with a black-and-gray American flag patch, its LED illuminated to showcase the compact everyday carry design.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJune 25, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL

The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic recognizing Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose (CA) Police Department as Officer of the Month for May 2026, featuring his uniformed portrait beside a badge-and-rose emblem.
PatrolJune 25, 2026

NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.

Read More →
Promotional image for Garmont Tactical’s Contact Collection featuring black tactical boots displayed in front of a police vehicle with flashing red and blue emergency lights. Text announces the new collection and notes it is now available.
PatrolJune 24, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE

Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.

Read More →
Graphic celebrating 1,613 Folds of Honor graduates, featuring graduation books, a diploma, a mortarboard cap, the Folds of Honor logo, and an inset photo of a graduate standing in front of a campus building.
PatrolJune 11, 2026

Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees

Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic for a POLICE Magazine article on Tennessee’s new deadly force law, featuring Lady Justice, handcuffs, a Tennessee map with Nashville highlighted, and the headline “Impact of New Deadly Force Law.”
Patrolby David StephensJune 4, 2026

Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee

Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.

Read More →