Pentagon to review security after Navy Yard shooting

The Pentagon will review security procedures at all U.S military installations worldwide, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday in Washington, CNN reports.

His comments are in the wake of the killing of 12 people by a gunman at the Navy Yard in Washington.

“We will do everything possible to prevent this from happening again,’’ Hagel said.

He said he had ordered a review of security procedures at all U.S military facilities and a review of the process by which civilians receive security clearances to work at bases.

Aaron Alexis, a former sailor who died during a shootout with police after allegedly killing 12 people, had been granted access to the facility as a government contractor.

Hagel said there would be a separate, independent review of military procedures.

“Where there are gaps, we will close them. Where there are inadequacies, we will address them. And where there are failures, we will correct them,’’ he said.

Alexis’ mother, Cathleen Alexis, had apologised on Wednesday for her son’s actions, calling herself heartbroken.

“His actions have had a profound and everlasting effect on the families of the victims,” she said in a statement broadcast by the US media.

“I don’t know why he did what he did, and I’ll never be able to ask him why. Aaron is now in a place where he can no longer do harm to anyone, and for that I am glad.’’

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama will attend a memorial service for the victims of the shooting on Sunday, the White House said.

“The president will want to mourn the loss of these innocent victims and share in the nation’s pain in the aftermath of another senseless mass shooting,’’ spokesman Jay Carney said.

The massacre has again raised questions about U.S gun laws.

But after Congress failed to enact tougher laws in the wake of the elementary school shooting last year at Newtown in Connecticut, lawmakers were unlikely to take up the matter again.


Source: Punch