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Wolf Blitzer delivers the most important breaking news and political, international, and national security stories of the day. Tune to The Situation Room weekdays 5-7pm ET on CNN.
Navy Yard shooting: New video shows gunman in action
It's one week after Aaron Alexis opened fire at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC, and we are finally getting some answers to the question, "Why?" At a press conference today, the FBI released chilling new video of Alexis and discussed what may have led to his attack– the voices he heard, the markings on his weapons, and the electromagnetic waves that he claims were controlling him.
CNN's Joe Johns reports on the "delusional" man and tries to piece together a motive.
The story behind the photo
It was the photo that everyone was talking about in the immediate aftermath of Monday's shooting at the Navy Yard. But many waved it off as an unrelated incident; perhaps it was just a man having a heart attack on a street corner.
CNN's Brian Todd now has the real story– a tragic tale of one woman's heroic attempt to save her friend.
Odd markings on Navy Yard shooter's gun
Investigators say markings were found on Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis's gun, and there are new details about his health. CNN's Joe Johns reports.
Moments of heroism amidst hell
It was a day of chaos and tragedy, but in the midst of Monday's Navy Yard shooting, there were moments of heroism as well. Navy Yard employees, including one man who led a blind co-worker out of the building, share with CNN's Chris Lawrence how they survived the chaos.
Navy Yard shooter "absolutely should not have gotten a clearance"
Based on law enforcement information, a security clearance attorney says Aaron Alexis should not have had security access because of his arrest record. CNN's Brian Todd pieces together what we know about the Navy Yard shooter and investigates how he got that clearance.
Navy Yard shooter: Like Jekyll and Hyde
One friend says Navy Yard gunman Aaron Alexis was smart and of sound mind, but another says he showed signs of paranoia. CNN's Ed Lavandera reports.
Navy Spokesman defends Alexis's clearance
Rear Admiral John Kirby defended the Navy’s security clearance for Aaron Alexis during an interview with Wolf Blitzer. He said mental health problems should not affect security clearance. Alexis should be commended, said Kirby, for seeking help from the VA for his apparent psychological problems. Kirby’s point was that the military wants to remove stigma from seeking psychological help.
The Navy's chief spokesman also said that Alexis first got his secret clearance in 2007 and that the clearance is good for ten years. So Alexis’s should still have been good. He did say there are periodic reviews of a security clearance, but did not elaborate or counter the contention by Alexis’s employer that the suspected gunman had his clearance renewed in June or July. The admiral said the eight offenses for which the Navy had sought a “general discharge” for Alexis were “fairly mild”– although he admitted “clearly this was not a sailor that had a stellar career."
Watch the full interview above.
DC Mayor talks about shooting rampage
One day after the shooting at the Navy Yard that killed 12 people, Wolf Blitzer talks to the mayor of Washington, DC, Vincent Gray. He talks about the victims of the massacre, helps lay out a timeline of events, and discusses what role gun laws may have played and where we go from here.
Friend of Navy gunman speaks to CNN
"I just don't know... I have no idea."
A friend of Aaron Alexis, the man officials have identified as the dead Navy Yard shooter, speaks to CNN's Ed Lavandera in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Navy Secretary speaks with Wolf
A Situation Room exclusive: The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus talks with Wolf Blitzer after the Navy Yard shooting and reveals that the gunman, Aaron Alexis, was an information technology contractor in the Ready Reserve.
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The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer is the command center for breaking news, politics and extraordinary reports from around the world. Tune in weeknights from 5-7pm ET on CNN.
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