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'A dark day for a very great place': Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on NAS Pensacola shooting

NAS Pensacola told WTSP the base will be closed for the remainder of the day. Only essential personnel will be allowed onto the base.

Four people are dead, including the suspect, following an active shooting incident Friday morning at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

A shooter opened fire with a handgun in a classroom building at Naval Air Station Pensacola Friday, killing three before he was shot and killed by deputies. A U.S. official has identified the shooter as a Saudi Arabian aviation student, according to the Associated Press.

Authorities say they are currently investigating if the shooting was terrorism-related. The base commander said weapons are not allowed to be carried around on the base.

In a press conference held by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Morgan said that deputies were initially alerted of a situation on the base at 6:51 a.m. 

Upon arrival deputies immediately called for backup, Morgan says.

During the incident, Morgan says shots were exchanged between the responding deputies and the suspect. The suspect died as a result of the shooting.

Two other people died at the base and another person died after being taken to the hospital.

Morgan said that in total, eight people were taken to the hospital, two of which were Escambia County deputies. One of the deputies was shot in the arm and the other in the knee.

Both deputies are expected to make a full recovery.

"A dark day for a very great place," said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a 1:30 p.m. press conference. 

Desantis said he and his team are monitoring the situation and offering their full support to law enforcement.

NAS Pensacola told WTSP the base will be closed for the remainder of the day. Only essential personnel will be allowed onto the base. 

Desantis posted on Twitter that he and his team are actively monitoring the shooting and are receiving updates from Commissioner Swearingen and offering our full support to law enforcement. 

The full press briefing from military law enforcement can be watched below.

The 1:30 p.m. press briefing with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis can be watched below. 

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