A 34-year-old man opened fire at the U.S. Navy Yard on Monday (September 16) in a shooting that left 13 people dead, including the gunman, not far from the U.S. Capitol and the White House, officials said.

The suspect was identified by the FBI as Aaron Alexis of Fort Worth, Texas. Washington D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier told reporters that Alexis "was engaged in shooting with police officers" when he died.

Valerie Parlave, assistant director in charge of the Washington field office of the FBI, asked the public for help with information about Alexis.

Sources in Washington suggest the gunman was a civilian contractor, who used a fake ID to gain access to the installation. Police believe he may have been acting in concert with another shooter, and authorities say they are currently searching for a black male aged between 40 and 50 years old.

"We now have a total of 13 fatalities including the shooter," said Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, "One of the victims who died at a hospital as a result of the wounds he suffered."

A dozen or more were injured at the Naval Sea Systems Command, one of five such commands where civilians, military personnel and contractors build and maintain Navy ships and submarines. About 3,000 people work there.

Presented by Adam Justice

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