Navy graduate hailed as a hero
JOSHUA Watson had just graduated from the US Naval Academy and was looking forward to a military career as a pilot.
Yesterday, he was being hailed a hero, as his family recounted how the 23-year-old – in his last minutes of life – led first responders to a shooter at the Pensacola naval base.
His brother Adam said Mr Watson saved countless lives with his own.
“After being shot multiple times he made it outside and told the first response team where the shooter was and those details were invaluable,” Adam Watson said.
“He died a hero.”
The anguish spread from Pensacola and into communities across the country, as fellow Americans shared in the shock and grief of Friday’s shooting that left four people dead, including the shooter, and eight others injured.
A second victim was identified as Mohammed “Mo” Haitham, 19, of St Petersburg, Florida.
Mr Haitham’s mother, Evelyn Brady, said her son joined the US Navy after graduating from high school last year.
The former track and field star was looking forward to graduating from the program later this month. “He said he was going to get his flight jacket for Christmas,” she said. “Now that’s not going to happen.”
News of the attack also hit hard in Enterprise, Alabama, where Mr Watson’s family was preparing to drive 200km to the military base in Florida’s Panhandle.
“I’m just an emotional wreck,” his father, Benjamin, said. “We want my son’s story told.”
Benjamin Watson said his son had reported to Pensacola two weeks ago for flight training to live out his dream of becoming a Navy pilot.