Nearly eight weeks after the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FBI agents sat down with local reporters to update the public on the investigation — and on what comes next for a base still closed to outsiders.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas appeared alongside base commander Capt. Tim Kinsella and U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe. Among the most stubborn obstacles, Rojas said, remains the shooter’s two iPhones: the FBI will keep pressing Apple to grant investigators access to the locked devices.
Base Remains Closed While Navy Review Continues
Although FBI personnel left the base weeks earlier, NAS Pensacola is still off-limits to the general public. Capt. Kinsella said he could not say when visitors would again be able to reach the Pensacola Lighthouse and the National Naval Aviation Museum, explaining that the Navy must finish its own investigation before access can be restored.
Saluting the First Responders
The briefing also honored the heroism of local first responders and others on base during the December 6 attack — especially Escambia County sheriff’s deputies who entered the scene and killed the gunman.
“When our Navy security forces arrived on scene, they were alone trying to do their best. Then when Escambia County came within minutes to back them up, it was like the 7th Calvary coming to the scene,” Kinsella said. “They were fantastic.”
Rojas noted that several responders were set to receive the Medal of Valor the following day. “Them being honored tomorrow with the Medal of Valor is deserving, and we are so appreciative and really just proud,” she said. The awards ceremony was scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola, with the public invited.