WASHINGTON--When the deadly shooting spree on the Washington Navy Yard began Monday, staff of the Navy FCU office located on the base immediately gathered members together and locked the credit union’s doors, waiting for the gunfire to end.
A Navy FCU spokesperson told Credit Union Journal that as the shooting between gunman Aaron Alexis and law enforcement officers began the credit union’s branch staff focused immediately on the safety of the five members inside the office. The attack at the Naval Sea Systems Command center yesterday left at least 12 people dead, including Alexis.
No one at the credit union branch was harmed, and a Navy FCU spokesperson said the CU office, located in the lower level of one of the Navy base’s buildings, was never in the line of fire. “Our staff followed the base’s protocol, which was to go immediately into lockdown. I believe our office’s doors remained closed until 5 p.m. yesterday.”
Navy FCU said the credit union was pleased with how staff responded and is assessing the situation to determine if any adjustments to safety protocol need to be made.
