Navy Yard Shooting Suspect's Mother Responds: 'My Heart Is Broken'
Two days after Aaron Alexis allegedly open fired inside the Navy Yard in southeast Washington D.C., killing 12 people, injuring others, and being killed by police, his mother has spoken out. Cathleen Alexis lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. and today she released a statement about her son's actions.
Cathleen Alexis expressed great sadness and regret, saying "I am so, so very sorry that this has happened." She added that she is glad her son "is now in a place where he can no longer do harm to anyone."
She read the statement to a CNN reporter, and later a pastor read her statement to other media members, according to USA Today.
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Her statement expresses sorrow and confusion at her son's motive.
"Our son Aaron Alexis has murdered 12 people and wounded several others. His actions have had a profound and everlasting effect on the families of the victims. I don't know why he did what what he did, and I'll never be able to ask him, why. Aaron is now in a place where he can no longer do harm to anyone, and for that I am glad. To the families of the victims, I am so, so very sorry that this has happened. My heart is broken," Cathleen Alexis said in a statement.
After giving her statement, Cathleen Alexis took no questions.
Aaron Alexis was 34 years old. He served in the Navy, based in both Texas an Illinois from 2008-2011. He was discharged from the army two years ago for relatively minor behaviorial infractions. He received an honorable discharge, according to Fox News.
