Navy Yard shooting: Up to speed in 3 minutes - CNN

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View photos from the scene of the rampage." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto001" width="640"/>A woman who said she works at the Washington Navy Yard looks at a memorial to the shooting victims on Wednesday, September 18. Authorities said 12 people -- plus the gunman -- were killed in the shooting on Monday, September 16. View photos from the scene of the rampage.

A handwritten note is taped to a post across the street from the Washington Navy Yard on September 18.

A man puts a bouquet at the anchor outside the Washington Navy Yard on Tuesday, September 17.

A flag flies at half-staff behind Valerie Parlave of the FBI and Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier during a press conference on September 17 outside the FBI's field office in Washington.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, right, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, second from right, present a wreath at the Navy Memorial in Washington on September 17.

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ian Krol wears a Navy hat in the dugout of Nationals Park in Washington before a game against the Atlanta Braves on September 17.

The Washington Nationals have a moment of silence for the shooting victims before their game on September 17.

U.S. flags surrounding the Washington Monument fly at half-staff on September 17.

From left, Brittany Carter, Jibri Johnson and Bryan Beard attend a small candlelight vigil at Freedom Plaza in Washington on September 16.

Brittany Carter wipes tears away at the September 16 vigil.

Dave Gray and his wife, Brittany, of Salt Lake City hold candles in remembrance of people affected by gun violence.

The U.S. flag above the Treasury Department flies at half-staff on September 16.

Gordon Morris, left, and wife Laura watch as flags are lowered to half-staff during the September 16 vigil at Freedom Plaza.

Eddie Weingart of Project End Gun Violence speaks to the media on September 16.

Members of the media cover the vigil on September 16.

The U.S. flag flies at half-staff above the White House the day of the deadly shooting.

The Rev. Andrew Royals offers communion to Vinh Tran during a Catholic Mass at the St. Vincent De Paul Church on September 16. A prayer for the shooting victims was held at the church, which is just blocks away from the site of the violence.

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Washington (CNN) -- Red flags, unexplained etchings, poor police response. It's been three days since Aaron Alexis went on a shooting rampage at the Navy Yard in Washington. And each new day since has brought new revelations about his past, the attack and the subsequent inquiry.
Late Wednesday night, the Navy Secretary said he's ordered three reviews into security clearances. And the medical examiner's office was completing its autopsy of Alexis.
Here's a recap of the latest developments, meant to bring you up to speed in three minutes.
THE ATTACK

Navy Yard shooter's "red flags"

The Navy Yard shooting and mental health

Survivor: He's slaughtering with shotgun

Seabrooks: No indication he was ill
Disassembled shotgun: Alexis entered Building 197 with a disassembled Remington 870 shotgun in a small bag, a law enforcement official said. He's seen on surveillance video ducking into a bathroom and leaving with the shotgun.
Unexplained etchings: Alexis etched phrases into the shotgun, a source said. But investigators don't know what to make of it. They read: "Better off this way," and "My elf weapon."
THE RESPONSE
Stand down: A government official told CNN that when the first radio call came in about a shooting at the Navy Yard, highly-trained tactical U.S. Capitol Police officers headed to the base were told by a watch commander to stand down. The chief has now ordered an "independent fact review."
Undermanned: The Navy Yard also has its own police force. But there were only seven officers working Monday, a police officer and a union official said.
THE SCENE
Blood everywhere: Navy officials say damage inside Building 197 is so extensive, it may take weeks to repair and reopen it. "There is blood everywhere," one official said. "There is damage everywhere." The base itself will resume normal operations Thursday.
THE VICTIMS
Steady recovery: One of the three hospitalized shooting victims has been released. The woman was struck behind the ear. Two others -- a civilian and a police officer -- remain in fair condition. The officer, Scott Williams, is believed to have fired the shot that killed Alexis.
THE MOTIVE
Still a mystery: Investigators have talked to Alexis' friends and family. They've pored through his computers and other possessions. But, say law enforcement sources, nothing points to a specific motive for the rampage.
THE RED FLAGS
Hearing voices: In August, Alexis told police in Newport, Rhode Island, he was hearing voices and was convinced that someone was using a "microwave machine" to send vibrations into his body to keep him awake. Police notified the Navy. The Navy isn't commenting.
Trouble sleeping: That month, the VA Medical Center in Providence gave him medicine to help him sleep. A few days later, he went to a VA Medical Center in Washington to request a refill. Both times, he was asked whether he was depressed or had suicidal or homicidal thoughts. He said he didn't.
Disregarded warning: A senior Navy officer told CNN that Navy officials knew about Alexis' 2004 arrest for shooting out the tires of a car, but they decided to grant him security clearance anyway in 2007.
THE MOTHER
'So very sorry': Alexis' mother apologized Wednesday to the families of the victims, saying she didn't know "why he did what he did, and I'll never be able to ask him why." "Aaron is now in a place where he can no longer do harm to anyone, and for that I am glad," she said. "To the families of the victims, I am so, so very sorry that this has happened. My heart is broken."
THE INQUIRY
Thorough review: On Wednesday night, the Navy Secretary ordered three reviews:
-- 1) To see if his behavior on and off duty made him fit for duty or to hold security clearance
-- 2) To see if a contractor is required to inform the Navy if it reviews an employee's clearance
-- 3) A thorough look at how security clearances are granted and renewed in the Navy
"Where there are gaps we will close them. Where there are inadequacies we will address them. And where there are failures we will correct them," said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
CNN's Pamela Brown, Chris Lawrence, Barbara Starr, Chris Cuomo, John King, Deborah Feyerick, Evan Perez, Tom Cohen, Dan Merica, Larry Shaughnessy, Brian Todd, Alan Silverleib, Susan Candiotti, Joe Johns, Ed Lavandera and Jake Tapper contributed to this report.