Gunman, 12 victims killed in Washington Navy Yard shooting (pics)

Washington, Sept 17: At least 13 people, including a gunman, were killed and the police were looking for another suspect, in an audacious mass shooting at the high-security Washington Navy Yard located at a short distance from the White House.

"We now have a total of 13 fatalities, including the shooter," the Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray told reporters at a news conference yesterday. "We don't know what the motive is at this stage. We'll continue to seek information about what the motive is, but we don't have any reason at this stage to suspect terrorism, but certainly it has not been ruled out," he said.

One of the shooter who died in the brazen incident was identified by the police as Aaron Alexis, a 34-year old military contractor from Fort Worth, Texas. Police officials said Alexis managed to get inside the building by using someone else's identification card. However, it is still not clear what was motive of the shooter and how many other people accompanied him or he was alone. Initially police said they were looking for two more suspect.

The shooting occurred at the navy yard located near the White House

"Earlier today we talked about the possibility of there being two other suspects. One of those has been ruled out. That gentleman has been identified and is no longer a suspect," Gray said. As a matter of precaution, the Senate building was locked down for several hours yesterday only to be partially lifted later in the evening. Gray said yet another person is being looked out at.

"There is still yet another person who was identified earlier. That was a person in the video who was wearing a drab olive uniform, around 50 years of age, around 5'10", African-American man, and we are continuing to look for him to determine what if any involvement he may have had," he said.

The Washington Metropolitan Chief of Police, Cathy Lanier, asked residents, communities and businesses in the immediate area to shelter in place and avoid the areas mentioned until they finish their work. FBI official Valerie Parlave asked public to share any information they might have about the suspect shooter.

"This remains a very active investigation. We will continue to run down every lead and we will continue to work together on this investigation with our law enforcement partners," he said.

In Washington

US Capitol Police personnel keep watch on the East Plaza of the Capitol as the investigation continues to the shooting at the nearby Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington.

In Washington

People hold their hands to their heads as they are escorted out of the building where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, Monday, September 16, 2013.

In Washington

Security personnel respond near the Washington Navy Yard where a gunman was reported in Washington, on Monday, September 16, 2013.

In Washington

Emergency personnel attending to a scene where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, on Monday, September 16, 2013.

In Washington

A US Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Washington Navy Yard Monday, September 16, 2013.

In Washington

Police work the scene on M Street, SE in Washington near the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The U.S. Navy says one person is injured after a shooting at a Navy building in Washington. Police and emergency crews gathered Monday morning outside the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building, where the shooting was reported.

In Washington

President Barack Obama speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, September 16, 2013, in Washington. he said the guilty will be brought to the law.

In Washington

Family and friends rush to greet staff of the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters after they were taken from the Washington Navy Yard to Nationals Park, in Washington, Monday, September 16, 2013.

In Fort Worth

Aaron Alexis, arrested in September, 2010, on suspicion of discharging a firearm in the city limits. The FBI has identified Alexis, 34, as the gunman in the Monday, September 16, 2013 shooting rampage at at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington that left thirteen dead, including himself.

PTI