Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL-01) sent a letter to President Joe Biden Tuesday renewing his call for a National Day of Remembrance for the terrorist attack on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in 2019 – an attack perpetrated by a Saudi military exchange student.
On December 6th, 2019, a Saudi terrorist shot and killed three U.S. Navy sailors and wounded many others at NAS Pensacola in Florida’s First Congressional District.
The terrorist was participating in a Pentagon-sponsored training program, which granted him access to the base.
Rep. Gaetz’s letter highlights the need for a National Day of Remembrance, requesting President Biden to order flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide on December 6th to honor the victims and surviving family members of the services members killed in the 2019 terrorist attack on NAS Pensacola.
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“I write to renew my request for a National Day of Remembrance on behalf of the victims and survivors of the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) on December 6th, 2019,” wrote Gaetz.
“In a letter dated May 11th, 2022, cosigned by my colleague Representative Neal Dunn, I requested that you utilize your authority as President to order all federal buildings to lower the U.S. Flag and subsequent flags (POW/MIA or military organizational flags) to half-staff. This would provide recognition and support to the victims of an Al Qaeda-inspired attack that took the lives of Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, and Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham and wounded many others at NASP,” said Gaetz.
“As we approach the anniversary of the terrorist attack, my constituents, the military community, and everyone impacted by acts of terrorism perpetrated on U.S. soil and abroad would greatly appreciate a National Day of Remembrance,” wrote Gaetz.
The Attack and Motivations
Former Attorney General William P. Barr described the Pensacola attack as an act of terrorism, driven by the shooter’s jihadist ideology. The assailant, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, was a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force and had visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City the previous year.
Alshamrani’s social media posts on September 11th indicated that something significant was about to happen.
The shooting lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which Naval Security Forces intervened after eight minutes.
Law enforcement officers ultimately neutralized the shooter, who was in possession of a lawfully purchased semi-automatic handgun and a substantial amount of ammunition. The heroic actions of first responders, including two unarmed U.S. Marines and a Navy airman, prevented further casualties and saved lives.
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The Investigation and Digital Evidence
The counterterrorism investigation following the Pensacola attack proved to be incredibly complex. Hundreds of FBI personnel, including the Jacksonville Field Office, and numerous partner agencies and entities were involved.
Over 500 interviews were conducted, and a staggering 42 terabytes of digital media were collected in an attempt to determine whether Alshamrani acted alone or had co-conspirators.
Despite extensive efforts, no solid evidence of co-conspirators or affiliation with a specific group has been found thus far. However, Alshamrani’s social media posts revealed his anti-U.S. military and anti-Israel sentiments, providing some insight into his motivations.
The investigation also uncovered troubling information about other Saudi trainees in Florida, with 17 individuals found to have social media content related to jihadism or anti-American sentiments.
The Challenge of Encrypted iPhones
One of the most significant hurdles faced by investigators in the Pensacola case is the inability to access the contents of the shooter’s two iPhones. Despite court authorization and probable cause, law enforcement agencies have been unable to unlock the devices.
This situation highlights the critical need for investigators to obtain access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause.
During a press conference, Attorney General Barr and FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich emphasized the importance of collaborating with private sector companies to lawfully access evidence and information required to ensure national security.
The inability to access user data on encrypted mobile devices hampers investigations and provides an advantage to criminals and terrorists.
Plea to Apple and the Tech Industry
Both Barr and Bowdich appealed to Apple and the tech industry to work together with law enforcement agencies to find a solution to the issue of encrypted devices.
They emphasized that the goal is not to weaken encryption but to find a balance between data security and national security.
Access to encrypted data plays a crucial role in thwarting potential threats and protecting the country and its citizens.
The FBI Laboratory was able to restore Alshamrani’s damaged iPhones to working order but has been unable to unlock them.
The inability to access the information contained within these devices, despite court orders, has become a significant obstacle in the investigation. Images of the damaged iPhone were displayed during a press conference, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies.
The Pensacola attack of 2019 shook the nation and raised important questions about the challenges of investigating acts of terrorism in the digital age.
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