Daily Mail: "An officer was killed and another is fighting for his life after a shooting spree by a sailor on board the Royal Navy's flagship nuclear submarine. Police arrested an armed sentry after the incident today on the HMS Astute in Southampton docks as guards were changed over at midday. The shooting occurred as local dignitaries, including the city's mayor and council chief executive were touring the £1.2 billion boat, which had docked on Wednesday after 46 days at sea." Telegraph: "It is understood that the submariner pulled out his 9mm pistol and shot the officer and fellow sailor who had come to change the guard. The officer was killed outright and the rating suffered severe wounds that are said to be critical but not life-threatening. “It appears this rating got into an argument then just went crazy and began shooting people. He has not served in Afghanistan so it doesn’t appear to be related to combat stress like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).”
It would look much better if it were an old Soviet Whisky class sub. A Whisky on the rocks! Ah ah ah!
Can I quietly point out, that we're past the 'stranded on rocks' scenario with it's associated humour, and in this latest incident; one man is dead, and another 'critically injured'...
Its a most tragic event, in the most unlikely of locations. im a little bewildered by it. But thoughts go out to the families of all involved
Its a most tragic event, in the most unlikely of locations. im a little bewildered by it. But thoughts go out to the families of all involved Sky News is saying about 5 shots fired from an SA80. I saw the reports on the BBC and the teletext later stated that the visiting Major helped to disarm the gunman. A very mysterious and deadly incident and my thoughts are with the families of the dead and injured submariners. Regards Tom
A very sad thing to happen. But this sort of thing from a member of the crew of a nuclear sub is also worrisome, AFAIK the crews of nuclear capable platforms are checked regularly for signs of stress.
Daily Mail - "The Royal Navy faced serious questions over its recruitment policy last night after disturbing details were revealed about the sailor held over a gun killing on a nuclear submarine. Hampshire Police have been given more time to question Able Seaman Ryan Donovan, 22, after the fatal shooting of Lieutenant-Commander Ian Molyneux on board HMS Astute. But it is now known that Donovan, who was unemployed before joining the Forces, bizarrely changed his name by deed poll to ‘Reggie Moondogg’. Social networking websites reveal that he wrote a series of violent rap songs in which he boasted about being ‘big and mean’ and a ‘serious sinner’ and talked about ‘dead presidents’."
why was he even on the boat? Yes Bofors, good question. When I served in the RN submariners were a carefully vetted, hand picked bunch. All volunteers, it was not an easy arm to get into. Nuclear subs were even tougher to get into. Seems strange to me that the process appears to have changed radically since those days. I am totally mystified by the whole event.
Since the Meeja has already changed the weapon used from a Pistol to an assault rifle... And early reports mentioned three arrests... maybe we shouldn't yet believe anything else they say? Crap things happen, even on Nuclear submarines. If true; changing your name, and being into rap, is hardly an indication of being a murderer, or even particularly unstable.
Since the Meeja has already changed the weapon used from a Pistol to an assault rifle... And early reports mentioned three arrests... maybe we shouldn't yet believe anything else they say? Crap things happen, even on Nuclear submarines. If true; changing your name, and being into rap, is hardly an indication of being a murderer, or even particularly unstable. Agreed-I'm surprised no one has mentioned an estranged wife yet. If I was him I'd say it was a ND. Everyone knows that Matelows and rifles don't go.
Agreed-I'm surprised no one has mentioned an estranged wife yet. If I was him I'd say it was a ND. Everyone knows that Matelows and rifles don't go. Ouch !! Andy - they gave me a Bren to play with and a .303 Enfield. Lucky you weren't wandering about in those days. :p
...and being into rap, is hardly an indication of being a murderer, or even particularly unstable. Really not, but it opens the field for questions on personal taste...
