A gunman who died after killing 12 people at a naval installation in Washington DC has been identified as a former Navy serviceman.

Aaron Alexis, 34, of Fort Worth, Texas, died in a gun battle with police during the rampage at Washington Navy Yard.

Eight others were injured in the attack, which began at around 8:20 local time (12:20 GMT) on Monday.

US President Barack Obama ordered flags be lowered to half mast at the White House and on Capitol Hill.

He said he mourned "yet another mass shooting" and condemned the "cowardly act".

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Aaron Alexis

Born in New York City in 1979; last known address was Fort Worth, Texas
Full-time US Navy reservist from 2007 till discharge in 2011, ranked petty officer 3rd class
Awarded National Defense Service medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service medal
Said to have been Buddhist convert, but had gun-related brushes with law in 2004 and 2010
Profile: Aaron Alexis
No motive is known for the attack, whose dozen victims ranged in age from 46 to 73, said the authorities.

Police initially responded to reports of two other armed suspects, but after exhaustive searches Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier said on Monday night they were all but certain that Alexis was the only gunman.

Witnesses said the suspect sprayed bullets in a hallway and fired from a balcony down on to workers in an atrium at the heavily secured installation in the US capital.

He was reportedly armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a handgun that he took from a police officer at the scene.

Chief Lanier told reporters that the attacker "was engaged in shooting with police officers" when he died. "There is no question he would have kept shooting," she added.

Valerie Parlave of the FBI said that the suspect, who was employed by a subcontractor that was working on a US Navy intranet network, had a valid pass to enter Washington Navy Yard.

Alexis was formerly a petty officer 3rd class who served full-time in the naval reserve from 2007-11, said the US Navy.

It was not immediately clear why he left the military, but unnamed military officers told US media there had been a series of misconduct issues during his service.

According to media reports, Alexis was a Buddhist convert who had had two previous gun-related brushes with the law.


Journalist Bud Kennedy describes Aaron Alexis as "serious" and "popular"
In 2004 he was arrested in Seattle for shooting a construction worker's car tyres, in what he described as an enraged "black-out".

And he was questioned by Fort Worth police in 2010 after firing his gun through the floor of an upstairs apartment. He said it was an accidental discharge.

In addition to those killed in Monday's rampage, one police officer was shot in the legs, a female civilian was shot in the head and hand, and another woman was treated for a shoulder wound.

All three were expected to recover, said Washington Hospital Center officials.

Five others required medical treatment, mostly for minor injuries, said Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray.

As news of the shooting emerged, emergency vehicles and police surrounded the complex, while helicopters hovered overhead.

The US Senate buildings and six nearby schools were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution, while flight departures were briefly suspended at Reagan National Airport.

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Law enforcement officers arrived on the scene within minutes of Monday morning's shooting.

Civilians were escorted from Washington Navy Yard as law enforcement searched for the gunman.

A helicopter rescues someone from Washington Navy Yard.

Eight people were injured in the attack at the base, where as many as 3,000 people work.