“He was a Buddhist, at Least That is What he Claimed, but I Didn't See the Peaceful Side of Him"; Mass Murderer Aaron Alexis, 34, Committed Firearm Felonies in Anti-Gun Seattle in 2010, but Got Criminal Justice Affirmative Action: No Charges Filed

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

Thanks to reader-researcher RC for the sendalong.

He should have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and/or illegal discharge of a firearm, and he would have, had he been white. Then he would have lost his right to keep and bear arms, would have been rejected by the Navy Reserve, and not been hired by the contractor, whose ID Alexis used to get into the Navy Yard. And 12 people would still be alive.
 

Police: Navy Yard gunman previously arrested in Seattle shooting
Father described Aaron Alexis as 9/11 hero
By Levi Pulkkinen
September 16, 2013 | Updated: September 17, 2013 8:49 a.m.
SEATTTLEPI.COM [sic] Staff
Comments 9

A gunman suspected Monday in one of the nation's worst mass shootings, a massacre at a Washington, D.C., Navy installation, was previously arrested in Seattle for opening fire during a parking dispute.

Aaron Alexis, 34, who lived earlier this year in Fort Worth, was shot and killed inside the Washington Navy Yard on Monday following a shooting rampage where 13 were killed and at least four wounded inside an office facility.

Alexis was living in Seattle in 2004 when he was suspected of shooting out another man’s tires in what police described as an anger-fueled “blackout.” According to police, Alexis' father claimed his son helped in rescue efforts during the Sept. 11 attacks while living in New York City.

Alexis was not charged in the May 6, 2004, incident, but police contend he shot out the tires of a car parked near his grandmother’s home in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. According to a police statement, Alexis was suspected of firing three rounds into the Honda Accord’s rear tires before returning to the home, located next door to the construction site where the car had been parked.

The owner of the construction business told police he believed Alexis was angry over the parking situation around the work site. Several workers reported Alexis staring at them prior to the shooting.

Seattle detectives ultimately arrested Alexis a month later. According to police, Alexis told detectives he had been “mocked” by construction workers and said they had “disrespected him.” Alexis also claimed he had an anger-fueled “blackout,” and could not remember firing his gun at the victims’ vehicle until an hour after the incident.

Alexis also told police he was present during “the tragic events of September 11, 2001″ and described “how those events had disturbed him.” According to police, detectives later spoke with Alexis’ father, who lived in New York at the time, who told police Alexis had anger management problems, and that Alexis had been an active participant in rescue attempts on Sept. 11, 2001.

Seattle detectives referred the case to the Seattle Municipal Court for charges. Court records indicate Alexis was not charged.

A spokeswoman for the Seattle City Attorney's Office told The Washington Post that the paperwork on the incident never got to the office, so charges weren't filed.

Attempts to reach the accused killer's Seattle relatives were unsuccessful Monday afternoon.

Police officials in Fort Worth confirmed they arrested Aaron Alexis in 2010 on charges he unlawfully discharged a weapon there, but could not confirm he was the same man who died Monday at the naval base.

A man who lives in the Fort Worth suburb of White Settlement called Alexis his "best friend," adding he didn't seem aggressive, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"He lived with me three years," said Nutpisit Suthamtewakul, owner of the Happy Bowl Thai restaurant. "I don't think he'd do this. He has a gun, but I don't think he's that stupid. He didn't seem aggressive to me."

Suthametewakul said Alexis worked for a computer contractor.

The Department of the Navy confirmed that Aaron Alexis was the shooter, and said he had served in the Navy.

Alexis was detached from the U.S. Naval Reserve on Jan. 31, 2011, where he served in Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 46. He was Aviation Electrician's Mate third class petty officer. Navy records show Alexis enlisted in May 5, 2007 and left the service on Jan. 31, 2011.

Alexis went to Navy boot camp in Illinois, and during his service was awarded the National Defense Service Medical and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, standard commendations for service members.

Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety said they could not immediately confirm if Alexis had obtained a Texas license to carry a concealed weapons, citing state confidentially laws.

A person self-described as a close friend of Alexis was rattled by the news he was suspected of being involved in the shooting. The friend described him as smart, and also said he worked at a Thai restaurant in the Fort Worth area.

"I need some time to digest this, I can't really provide much at this time" said the friend, who asked not to be identified by name. "The last I heard, he was doing some work in Japan," said the friend, who added that Alexis worked with computers, was a Navy veteran, and was originally from New York.

"He was a Buddhist, at least that is what he claimed, but I didn't see the peaceful side of him," said the friend, who would not elaborate.

This report contains information from the Houston Chonicle and The Associated Press.

Check the Seattle 911 crime blog for more Seattle crime news. Visit seattlepi.com's home page for more Seattle news.

Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.