The Naval Station at Norfolk has reopened this morning and is operational but shaken after a shocking attack that left two people dead.

Just after 11:00pm on Monday night an unknown male was discovered aboard the guided missile destroyer known as the USS Mahan. Without warning, the assailant approached and shot the sailor.

The shooter was a civilian and would have required special permission and possibly an escort to move around the base. Each of the 13 piers has ample security and the facility recently underwent additional reinforcements to beef up safety measures.

In a preliminary interview, a witness stated the suspect did not have permission to be on the Naval Base and it is not certain how he gained admittance.

Naval security officers were quick to respond and fatally shot the suspect. No other injuries were reported as a result of the unexpected events. The base, one of the largest naval institutions in the world, was shut down for nearly an hour after the brutal attack.

Names and other details will not be released until the appropriate officials have made contact and notified family members.

This is not the first instance where violence has suddenly erupted at a US Naval Base. In September, 2013 the Washington Naval Yard experienced a mass shooting that left over a dozen people injured or dead.

Beth Baker, a spokesperson for the Norfolk Naval Base said that many details are unclear and officials hope to have more answers as the investigation continues. Trauma counselors are available for those who need support after the incident.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/civilian-shot-killed-after-fatally-shooting-a-us-navy-sailor-at-naval-station-norfolk/2014/03/25/aa00726e-b403-11e3-8020-b2d790b3c9e1_story.html

http://townhall.com/news/us/2014/03/25/2-killed-in-shooting-at-naval-station-norfolk-n1814135