Aaron Alexis passed Federal Bureau Investigation and Virginia state background checks to purchase a shotgun from Sharpshooters Small Arms Range in Lorton, Va., over the weekend.
Alexis did not attempt to purchase a rifle or handgun from the store, The Washington Times has learned exclusively.
The retail store put the former Navy reservist’s name through both systems checks before selling him a shotgun and 00 buckshot shotgun shells, a source familiar with the investigation said.
The source characterized the amount of ammunition purchased as “not much.”
Sharpshooters captured Alexis on an in-house security camera during the purchase.
Law enforcement took the video Monday to identify the shooter.
SEE ALSO: Honorable discharge for Navy Yard shooter who had a ‘pattern of misconduct’
Emily Miller is a senior editor of opinion for The Washington Times and author of “Emily Gets Her Gun” (Regnery, 2013).
• Emily Miller can be reached at emilymiller.miller@gmail.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.