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

Three tactical backpacks set against a desert background with an inset logo for 5.11.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

5.11 Debuts New Load-Bearing Gear at SHOT Show

5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →
Blue background with Streamlight logo at top and inset images of one handgun light, two rifle lights, and one handheld light.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

Streamlight Launches the Rechargeable TLR-3X & Other Lights at SHOT Show

Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →
dark ballistic sunglasses against a blue smokey background
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

EOTech & Fast Metal Introduce the EOTech Halen Ballistic Spectacle System

Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black background, outline of Florida, headline 2 Officers Shot
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 14, 2026

2 Florida Officers Shot After Shots-Fired Call

Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.

Read More →
Blue-tinted background photo of hand hanging up an office phone and headline Richmond Heights PD: Harassment and Threats Will Be Addressed Accordingly
PatrolJanuary 14, 2026

Mistaken Identity: Ohio Police Department Harassed After ICE OIS

An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.

Read More →
Black background with POLICE logo, police light bar, and headline Top 10 Videos of 2025.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 7, 2026

Top 10 POLICE Videos of 2025

What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue tinted background of a police dispatcher with headline Flock Safety + Coreforce Integation
TechnologyJanuary 7, 2026

Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement

A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.

Read More →
three background images - man in tactical gear, image of ballistic helmet, photo of police officer in tactical gear approaching a car, and a circle with logo for Ballistic Armor Co.
PatrolJanuary 7, 2026

Ballistic Armor Co. Secures Strategic Investment to Expand U.S. Production Capabilities

Ballistic Armor Co. secured a new commitment that will accelerate its multi-year transition from a third-party tactical equipment retailer to a premium innovator and U.S. manufacturer of advanced protective systems.

Read More →
image of men on bicycles and women competing in martial arts and a log for the US Police & Fire Championships
PatrolDecember 10, 2025

Police & Fire Championships Expands Athlete Eligibility

The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactic & TIps against a black background and an illuminated police car light bar. Headline for Tips for Watching the Hands
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 5, 2025

Tips for Watching the Hands

How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.

Read More →