https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nas-pensacola-shooting-navy-suspends-flight-training-saudi-studentsAfter NAS Pensacola shooting, Navy suspends flight training for nearly 300 Saudi students, official says
By Bradford Betz | Fox News
Navy suspends flight training for Saudi students after Pensacola shooting
The FBI says the Pensacola shooter used a hunting loophole to purchase his gun legally; Jacqui Heinrich reports.
The U.S. Navy on Tuesday suspended nearly 300 Saudi students from flight training in response to the deadly shooting by a Saudi student last Friday in Pensacola, Fla., a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News.
Navy Commander Clay Doss said classroom and flight training will resume for other students this week.
He did not say how long the flight stand-down for Saudi students will continue.
A tribute to victims of the Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting that was freshly painted on what’s known as Graffiti Bridge in downtown Pensacola, Fla.
A tribute to victims of the Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting that was freshly painted on what’s known as Graffiti Bridge in downtown Pensacola, Fla. (AP)
Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a 21-year-old aviation student from Saudi Arabia, opened fire at Naval Air Station Pensacola, killing three military members and injuring eight others. Police shot and killed the Saudi gunman.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday said the investigation was proceeding under "the presumption that this was an act of terrorism." He urged stronger security "precautions" for foreign nationals training on U.S. military bases.
"To have this individual be able to take out three of our sailors, to me that's unacceptable," DeSantis said.
Mohammed Alshamrani, a Saudi student, opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. (FBI via AP)
Lt. Comdr. Megan Isaac, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told Fox News that training was suspended over the weekend for all personnel.
The flight restriction put in place this week would affect 140 students at Pensacola Naval Air Station, where the shooting occurred, and 35 at nearby Whiting Field. Another 128 students at Naval Air Station Mayport, on the Atlantic seaboard, would also face restrictions.
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Doss said the stand-down was an effort to ensure the safety of the students as they recovered from the trauma of the shooting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is an editor for Fox News. Follow him on Twitter @bradford_betz.
