British Sailor on Nuclear Sub Kills Officer: Police

A British sailor aboard a nuclear-powered submarine apparently shot dead a crew member and seriously wounded another today while the vessel was on a goodwill visit to an English port. The suspect was overpowered by colleagues and visiting dignitaries aboard HMS Astute and arrested on suspicion of murder. Police and military officials said the incident was not related to terrorism, but offered few details about what may have prompted a sailor to open fire during a tour of the submarine by local officials.

Britain's Press Association news agency reported the dead and injured crewmen were officers, and the suspect was a sentry armed with an SA80 service rifle. Submariners do not routinely carry loaded firearms aboard ships, but those on sentry duty are armed. Southampton city council leader Royston Smith said he was in the submarine's control room when a man entered, said something, then retreated to a corridor. Two shots rang out before the man walked back in and opened fire. (More nuclear submarine stories.)