Officer shot dead on HMS Astute, arrest made

[Matador.es]

Arrest made in nuclear sub shooting
08 April 2011

A Royal Navy officer has been killed and a rating has been left with life-threatening injuries following a shooting on board HMS Astute.

One man, reportedly a fellow rating, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack, which took place while the sub was berthed in Southampton docks.

Reports suggest that a 9mm pistol was used in the shooting, which took place during a changing of the guard. The incident is not said to be terrorist-related.

Hampshire police were called to the boat at 1212 on Friday 8 April and have sealed off the area around the docks. The force insists there is no risk to the public.

"Hampshire police were called by their Ministry of Defence colleagues at 12.12pm today and are currently liaising with them to establish the exact circumstances of the incident," a Hampshire police spokesman said.

"It is believed two people have sustained injuries as a result of gun shots being discharged on the vessel. People should be reassured there is no risk to public safety.

"Hampshire Constabulary and the MoD are keen to stress this incident is not terrorist related.

"More information will be circulated as it becomes available."

The submarine was in the city as part of a scheduled five-day visit.

Local dignitaries and parties of scouts and Sea Cadets had been invited on board the boat during its five-day visit to the city, and Southampton Council has confirmed that the city's mayor, council leader and chief executive were on board at the time of the shooting. None were said to have been injured in the attack.

The boat is one of seven Astute class submarines ordered by the UK and became trapped on a shingle bank during sea trials in October last year.

In sea trials in February this year some of the submarine's weapons support and sewage systems failed.

[Oberon]

She's going to get a reputation at this rate.

[Ramius]

R.I.P. shipmate

[TLAM Strike]

Didn't something like this happen on a Russian boat a few years ago?

[Chad]

This boat sounds cursed.. One incident after another. Perhaps it's the ghost of Nelson rolling in his grave because of the down-sizing of the British Navy.

[ajrimmer42]

Saw this on Yahoo earlier, strange. Although it did say in that report that they believed an SA80 was used.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by Oberon

She's going to get a reputation at this rate.

I think she already had the reputation, this just adds to it.

[Ramius]

Originally Posted by ajrimmer42

Saw this on Yahoo earlier, strange. Although it did say in that report that they believed an SA80 was used.

Yea it was a SA80

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

I think she already had the reputation, this just adds to it.

With any luck that won't transmit to her classmate Ambush who is afloat at Barrow at the moment before trials next year.

In all seriousness though, RIP to the crewman who died in this incident and hopefully the other crewman will make a full recovery. One can only presume that the sailor who unloaded the SA80 broke. I imagine there has been a lot of pressure on the crew after the embarrassments up until now, and one chap must have snapped, it doesn't excuse what he did but that's the only thing I can think of.

[Jimbuna]

How oh so very sad

[Ramius]

I know its from the Sun but....

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...MS-Astute.html

[Wolfehunter]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/1-dead-anot...83137-256.html

Here it is too.

Sucks.. I wonder what caused him to snap?

[ajrimmer42]

Some new info here http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20110409/...u-45dbed5.html

that Sun link is probably BS lol

[Oberon]

Good on Mr Smith though, he undoubtedly saved a few lives there. I hope the RN acknowledges this if they haven't already.

[Jimbuna]

What's most important and upsetting is the fact two young kids no longer have a father