U.S. Navy Master-At-Arms, Naval Criminal Investigative Service Agents, and civilian law enforcement respond to an shooting incident on NAS Corpus Christi.
Perhaps it is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans slowly growing desensitized by active shooter events, or a combination of both, that two shootings on military bases went fairly unnoticed by the public at large. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight the heroism of our military personnel that put their lives at risk in the defense of others. Both of the attacks, which occurred just this month, were thwarted by military police personnel.
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
The first, May 21 shooting occurred aboard Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas and the FBI has determined it to be motivated by terrorism. The shooter, Adam Salim Alsahli, a Syrian-born U.S. citizen, was killed by base security during the incident.
In a brazen attempt to enter the naval air station and take lives, Alsahli approached a base entry point and fired a weapon at the gate sentry, striking her torso. The sentry was knocked down by the shot but saved by her body armor. As Alsahli sped through the entry point, the gate sentry was able to roll to a control panel and activate an emergency barrier system that stopped Alsahli’s car from proceeding further onto government property and endangering lives. Multiple other military law enforcement personnel then fired at the suspect vehicle and killed Alsahli. The base was locked down for several hours while the preliminary investigation took place.
The quick-thinking sailor who no doubt saved countless lives by activating the security barrier has only been identified as Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 2nd Class. Her name has been withheld at her request. She was discharged from a hospital where she was treated for minor injuries, according to a statement from NAS Corpus Christi.
At a same-day news conference, FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves stated investigators were attempting to determine whether a second person of interest was involved but did not release any more details. However, on May 27, the FBI confirmed they were no longer seeking a second person of interest and there did not appear to be another imminent threat to the military installation or community.
“We have determined that the incident at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is terrorism related […] We are working diligently with our state, local and federal partners on this investigation, which is fluid and evolving.” – Greeves
FBI officials who spoke to the Associated Press under the condition of anonymity stated Alsahli expressed support on social media for radical Islamist groups including Al Qaeda.
The FBI’s Houston field office has taken charge of the investigation.
Ft. Leavenworth
The second shooting occurred on May 27 on the Army installation Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas. The shooter has been identified as 37-year old Jason Westrem, a Missouri resident. He was armed with both a rifle and a handgun.
At approximately 11 am, a Westrem exited a vehicle on a base bridge, turned, and began discharging rifle rounds at other vehicles on the bridge. Fortunately, Master Sergeant David Royer, an off-duty Military Police officer with the installation’s 705th Military Police Battalion, 15 Military Police Brigade was on the bridge as well. Master Sgt. Royer was in his vehicle on a Bluetooth phone call with his wife when he observed the shooter exit his vehicle and begin firing.
“I immediately told my fiance to call 911, that there was an active shooter on the bridge, and I told her I had to go,” Master Sgt. Royer said. “I assessed the situation very quickly, looked around and just took the only action possible that I felt I could take, and I accelerated my truck as quickly as possible and struck the active shooter and pinned him under my truck.”
Trapped beneath Master Sgt. Royer’s vehicle, the Westrem was neutralized and subsequently arrested by law enforcement. He is being treated at a Kansas City hospital and is currently in serious condition. He faces nine charges, including child endangerment and attempted murder, which could carry a 50-year sentence if convicted.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is tracing the guns to see if they were purchased legally.
At least seven bullets flew through the window of a Ford Taurus and two other cars were hit. A Fort Leavenworth soldier, Staff Sgt. Ehran Schooler was in one of those vehicles. A single bullet entered Schooler’s back on the left side and came out on his right front side. The bullet then lodged into the steering column. While he was initially treated in serious condition, he now only needs a walker to get around and is expected to recover.
Master Sgt. Royer is rightly being praised as a hero by many. Leavenworth Police Chief Patrick Kitchens said his actions likely saved countless lives, and he should be honored for doing so.
“He won’t call himself a hero, but I will,” – Kitchens
The victim, Staff Sgt. Schooler stated, “He reached out to me yesterday. We talked for quite a bit,” Schooler said. “He said he’s not a hero, but he is to me, and many more people, he’s a hero.”
As for the humble Master Sgt. Royer, he stated that immediately after the incident, “I just wanted to get back home, get everything back to normal, and get with my kids, give them a hug. Then I went, I mowed my grass, ate dinner, and spent time with my family.
The service members in both these incidents, who acted quickly and saved countless lives, are rightfully expected to be awarded for their heroism.
