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Shooter’s friend: Aaron Alexis was a liberal, happy with Obama

Patrick Howley Political Reporter
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A friend of Navy Yard shooting suspect Aaron Alexis said on CNN Tuesday that the alleged gunman was “more of a liberal type” who was happier with the Obama administration than with the Bush administration.

“Aaron wasn’t conservative like I am. He was more of a liberal type; he wasn’t happy with the former administration. He was more happy with this administration — as far as presidential administrations,” Alexis’ friend Michael Ritrovato said on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper.”

Ritrovato also confirmed that Alexis played a violent video game in his presence.

Police reportedly searched a Toyota Prius, which they believe to be Alexis’ rental car.

Alexis has been identified by police as the gunman in Monday’s massacre at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., which left at least 13 people dead, including Alexis. A Brooklyn native and Texas resident, Alexis previously served as a Navy reservist and had two prior gun-related arrests.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and liberal CNN host Piers Morgan have attempted to inject the debate about gun-control laws into coverage of the D.C. shooting. A Buzzfeed reporter attacked the National Rifle Association for its silence in the immediate aftermath of Monday’s shooting.

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