Law enforcement officials have identified the man who shot and killed a sailor at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on Monday night.
According to a report by the Virginian-Pilot, 35-year-old Tyrone Savage climbed on board the USS Mahan, stole a petty officer's gun and fatally shot a sailor. Naval Security Forces then returned fire and killed Savage.
Savage, who reportedly has a history of criminal activity, was granted access to the base because of his Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC. These government identification cards were first created 10 years ago to make sure officials were safe at civilian marine terminals, the Virginian-Pilot reported.
Navy code states that TWIC cardholders can only gain access to a base or pier if accompanying identification is shown. Savage, who drove a semi-truck to the Navy base at about 11 p.m. on Monday, had such a card, but didn't have any business to do on the base.
Savage made it through a security checkpoint with little to no issue or search from base officials, Sheridan Logistics driver Charles Dirago told the Virginian-Pilot.
"Normally, the bases that recognize the TWIC, once you show it to them, they wave you right on through," Dirago, whose company sends military equipment around the nation, said. "They might ask, 'Pick up or delivery?' But they don't usually ask for any proof."
Savage, who previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the case of a 30-year-old North Carolina man's death, had reportedly been in and out of jail during his lifetime.
After boarding the quarterdeck at the Norfolk Naval Station on Monday, Savage was approached by sailors working security who asked what he was doing on the base. As the confrontation escalated, things got physical - while the man wrestled with officials, he managed to grab a firearm off of a petty officer.
He then used the gun to shoot and kill Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Mayo, a base guard who answered a call to the scene. Savage was then shot and killed, Capt. Robert Clark told CNN.
