Crime & Safety

Video Footage of Navy Yard Shooting, Etching on Shotgun: 'Better Off This Way'

The Federal Bureau of Investigation releases surveillance video of Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis moving through the building during last Monday's shooting rampage.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement officers confirmed Wednesday that Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis held delusional beliefs and that his sawed-off shotgun had etchings in it that provide insight into his intentions when he showed up at work at the Washington Navy Yard  and killed 12 people before being killed himself last week.

Valerie Parlave, assistant director in charge, FBI Washington Field Office, said in a press briefing Wednesday that so far the investigation has found "multiple indicators" that Alexis held a "delusions belief" that he was being controlled by extra low frequency electro magnetic waves.

One of several etchings on his shotgun read "My ELF Weapon," which Parlave said the investigators believe to reference these electromagnetic waves.

According to a release from the FBI, Alexis's electronic media included a statement that read, “Ultra low frequency attack is what I’ve been subject to for the last 3 months, and to be perfectly honest that is what has driven me to this.”

Other etchings on his shotgun included "End to the torment," "Better off this way," and "Not what ya'll say," according to Parlave.

Parlave said from reading his communications, Alexis accepted that death would be the "inevitable consequence" of his actions. She said they have concluded that he was working alone. 

The FBI release additional photos and information related to the case online: http://www.fbi.gov/news/navy-yard-shootings-investigation


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.