This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
On August 2017, Mr. Alshamrani first arrived in the United States for a year of English-language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, as confirmed by a Pentagon official. He later spent a year and a half in aviation training in Pensacola, before moving on to advanced strike fighter training in October.
However, his time in Pensacola was marred by controversy when he filed a formal complaint against one of his instructors at the base whom he accused of embarrassing him in front of other aviation students by mocking his mustache as looking like that of a pornographic actor.
According to ABC News, the gun used in the shooting was purchased from Uber’s Lock and Gun in Pensacola. Naomi Uber, the owner, declined to comment on the matter, referring questions to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which in turn directed inquiries to the F.B.I.
Ms. Uber stated, “There is an ongoing investigation. I can’t pull up paperwork. I don’t have authority to discuss anything with you.”
Guided hunting tours operator Kenny Lewis expressed skepticism about using a Glock 45 handgun for hunting, stating that it is not the preferred choice for most hunters. He noted that a handful of novice hunters have shown up for trips in recent years with similar handguns, often out of fear of being attacked by a wild hog.
Mr. Lewis emphasized that most hunters prefer a rifle that can do more damage and has a longer range, even if it means firing at a slower rate. He also noted that a Glock 45 is more commonly purchased for self-defense, creating harm to someone else, or for target shooters, especially with an extended clip.
