12/9/2019

Governor Ron DeSantis Assesses Situation, Deploys State Resources to Naval Air Station Pensacola

Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola following this morning's shooting to receive a briefing from leadership at NAS Pensacola, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, the Governor spoke with President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper regarding the shooting and ongoing investigation.

Governor DeSantis also held a press conference detailing the efforts of his administration to provide support on the ground. Governor DeSantis was joined by NAS Pensacola Base Commander Captain Timothy F. Kinsella Jr., Commander Michael Harbison, FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Jayer Williamson, Representative Alex Andrade and representatives from the Escambia County Commission, FBI, NCIS and Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

Governor DeSantis said, “We are praying hard for the victims and families impacted by today’s shooting at NAS Pensacola. As a Navy veteran, today hits especially close to home. NAS Pensacola is a special place and these brave warriors who wear the wings come here for flight training to protect and serve our great nation. My administration and state agencies have deployed and will continue to provide support personnel and services to all of the military, civilians and families impacted by today’s senseless act of violence.”

“Today’s shooting not only strikes at the heart of Northwest Florida, but for the Navy nationwide and around the world. The response we saw from the deputies at Escambia County Sheriff’s office and active personnel responding to the scene is commendable and lives were saved because of the bravery of those wearing the uniform of the U.S. Navy and our local law enforcement, including from those who were wounded and still worked to help others. Their bravery will not be in vain. We have learned that the shooter was a foreign national in the employ of a foreign service and the government of Saudi Arabia needs to make things better for the victims and they’re going to owe a debt here.”

Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office

Early this morning, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an active shooter at the Pensacola Air Station. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded and negated all threats at the base.

State response efforts include:

• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has been deployed to the Pensacola Air Station to assist federal and local agencies.
• FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen, Assistant Commissioner Tom Foy, Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey and more than 20 FDLE agents and analysts are working on the investigation.
• The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) deployed Mental Health Coordinator Darcy Abbott to the Pensacola Air Station. FDEM is working closely with the base to provide mental health assistance to witnesses, victims and their families.
• FDEM Regional Coordinators are in Escambia County coordinating state support with local emergency management in the Unified Command Post on base.
• The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is working with the Escambia County school district to assist in coordinating counseling services to students.
• The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is working with the community mental health provider, Lakeview Center and has deployed clinical Mobile Response Teams to both Sacred Heart and Baptist Hospitals to provide immediate counseling and support services.
• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has been in contact with local and state partners to receive updates. Hospitals in the area have implemented family reunification protocols to coordinate and communicate with families affected.
• The Health Care Coalition is deploying a crisis response team to provide behavioral health support.
• The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs has been in contact with their federal partners in Pensacola. 

Currently, there are been four reported fatalities and eight reported injuries as a result from the event.

FDLE is encouraging all Floridians to utilize the “See Something, Say Something” method. If anyone sees any suspicious activity, they can call 855-FLA-Safe or call local enforcement to report it.

The “See Something, Say Something” toolkit is available on FDLE’s website here.