Yesterday was not a great day and I don’t want to forget what happened. An ex-employee subcontractor of HPES, working on NMCI, brought a shotgun on to Washington Navy Yard, entered building 197 and started shooting. First killing the security guard inside the building, taking his weapon and continued up to the 3rd and 4th floors.
He killed 12 people before he was killed. I just can’t believe that someone was able to get on base with a weapon and kill so many people. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims.
The shootings occurred in building 197. I’m located in building 196. You would think they would be next door to each other but thankfully they are not. Building 197 is on 6th Street and Building 196 is on 10th Street. See bottom image.
The base went on lockdown beginning at 0840 and we didn’t depart our building until almost 6pm. At first we didn't know what was happening. All we knew was that someone had been shot at building 197. We had not heard that there was more than one person hurt. Then we started receiving information from our families and friends who where watching the news. We didn't have access to TV and trying to stream the news was nearly impossible. Then we heard that four people were dead and many more injured. Nobody knew if there was more than one shooter, if he was still in 197, or did he make his way to our side of the base. Several survivors from 197 made it to our building and we sheltered them all day. We gave them food, water, coffee, phones to use, and chargers for cell phones. Most people didn't have anything with them when they ran out of the building.
Finally, we were escorted from Building 196 by the FBI, down to the water front to building 211 where people were interviewed and buses waited to transport us to Nationals Ball Park. The ball park, we got off the buses, and finally walked to the Navy Yard metro station or to the Booz Allen office at 20 M Street. Camera crews were everyone and so were the police and FBI.
Our cars were held hostage by the FBI and local police. Jessica had been released about an hour before me and Kim was released an hour after me. I’m so thankful that my friends were not hurt and I could keep track of them. Mama Kat mode kicked in and I made sure I knew where they were at all times.
I love Booz Allen Hamilton and Charlie Hamilton. Charlie stayed at the 20 M Street office until all of his people were accounted for, made sure we had food and water, and a way to get home. When I arrived at the office, the second he saw me, he opened up his arms and I walked right in to them and gave him a huge hug. He hugged me tight and kissed my cheek.
Like I said, I love Charlie Hamilton. He is a retired Navy Admiral (two-star) and really cares about his people. Charlie sent out this message to us “I have been very proud of the 20 M St / WNY Booz Allen family all day – you remained calm, kept a sense of humor, and looked out for your colleagues. Well done and thanks Charlie.”
My leadership is just as wonderful; Tammy, Laura, and Bill are so supportive. Laura had the worst of it because she was in building 197 when the shooting started and was evacuated to the Museum. Thankfully she is alright but I’m sure it hit her hard.
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