A decorated military veteran who was a Buddhist convert and formerly a popular waiter, the 34-year-old does not at first sound like the type who could carry out America's latest gun outrage.
But as so often with such mass shootings, although the motive is a mystery, there seem to have been warning signs in the suspect's troubled past.
Aaron Alexis was born in 1979 in New York City, according to the FBI. He grew up in the borough of Brooklyn with his parents, his aunt told the Washington Post newspaper.
Defence officials said Alexis had joined the Navy as a full-time reservist in 2007. After training in Illinois, he was posted to Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked in the fleet logistics support squadron.
He achieved the rank of petty officer 3rd class in December 2009, his highest rank in the reserves.
Alexis was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal during his stint in the reserves. Both are issued to large numbers of service members who have served abroad and in the US since the 9/11 attacks.
Former associates of Aaron Alexis in Fort Worth, Texas, were shocked
Alexis was discharged in January 2011. Though the reason for
his leaving is unclear, unnamed military officers told US media there
had been a series of misconduct issues during his service.After his discharge Alexis began pursuing a bachelor's degree in aeronautics through online classes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
He had started coursework last year, the university confirmed.
At the time of the shooting, he was employed by a subcontractor working on a US Navy intranet network and had a valid pass to enter Washington Navy Yard.
Since leaving the military, Alexis had worked at a Thai restaurant in Fort Worth.
Journalist Bud Kennedy describes Aaron Alexis as "serious" and "popular"
He told police he believed the builders had "mocked" him on the morning of the incident.
Court records show he was released on the condition he avoided contact with the workers.
His father told Seattle detectives after the incident that his son suffered anger management problems caused by post-traumatic stress disorder. Algernon Alexis said this stemmed from his son being an "active participant in rescue attempts" in New York after the 11 September 2001 attacks.
In 2010, police were called to Aaron Alexis' apartment in Fort Worth, after an upstairs neighbour reported he had almost shot her through the floor.
He told police his gun accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it, and no charges were filed.
'Nice and genteel' A former Fort Worth roommate, who described Alexis as his "best friend", said he was shocked by the news.
"I don't think he'd do this," Nutpisit Suthamtewakul, owner of Happy Bowl Thai restaurant , where Alexis had worked, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper.
Aaron Alexis began classes for an online degree in 2012
"He has a gun, but I don't think he's that stupid," Mr Suthamtewakul said.A journalist from the newspaper told the BBC that he knew Alexis as a "quiet waiter" at the restaurant, which was next to the Texan city's naval air station.
"He was a quiet fellow and always nice and genteel and like part of the family here," said Bud Kennedy, a columnist.
"He did own a gun, but he didn't seem to be aggressive in any way."
Alexis attended a Buddhist temple in a suburb of Fort Worth, and had reportedly converted to the faith.
J Sirun, an assistant to the monks at the temple, told the Washington Post that Alexis was withdrawn.
He said: "He did not like to be close with anybody, like a soldier who has been at war."
Alexis had been helpful to others at Wat Busayadhammavanaram Meditation Center, Mr Sirun told the paper.
But at least one person there avoided him because he seemed too tightly wound.
"I would not have been surprised to hear he had committed suicide," Mr Sirun told the paper.
"But I didn't think he could commit murder."
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