AP Photo/Caleb Jones
Security stand outside the main gate at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in Hawaii.
- The Navy sailor who on Wednesday fatally shot two people and wounded another before taking his life at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard was unhappy with his commanders, having discipline problems, and in anger management, according to multiple reports.
- The sailor, identified as 22-year-old Gabriel Romero, was assigned an armed position providing security for the fast-attack submarine USS Columbia.
- The young man reportedly opened fire on his victims with his M4 service rifle before shooting himself with his M9 service pistol.
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The US Navy sailor who shot and killed two people at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii on Wednesday was reportedly displeased with his commanders, having discipline problems, and in anger management.
The sailor, identified as 22-year-old Gabriel Romero, was assigned a position as an armed guard at the shipyard, where he provided security for the fast-attack submarine USS Columbia, the Associated Press reported Friday.
During Wednesday's incident, Romero fatally shot two people and wounded a third with his M4 service rifle before taking his own life with his M9 service pistol. The deceased victims were reportedly Vincent Kapoi and Roldan Agustin. It was the first of two shootings at naval bases this week; on Friday, a Saudi national reportedly opened fire on military students at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
A US military official told the AP that Romero was unhappy with his commanders and was in counseling. He was also facing non-judicial punishment for misconduct.
Romero was enrolled in anger management, Hawaii News Now reported, citing multiple sources, adding that the sailor was also up for a captain's mast, a disciplinary proceeding below the level of a court-martial. HNN reports that a number of sources expressed concern that Romero was allowed to serve in an armed position given his history of problems.
Romero reportedly had various injuries from punching things like lockers, sources told HNN.
The Navy has yet to provide a clear explanation for why Romero was allowed to serve in a position where he had access to weaponry.
Navy officials told the AP that the sailor's motive for the shooting remains unknown. It is also unclear whether Romero knew any of the victims.
Wednesday's fatal incident was followed by the shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola Friday, where a shooter killed two and injured eight others before being slain by local law enforcement. One of the wounded later died at the hospital, bringing the death toll to four.