One year ago today, Aaron Alexis ran through the halls of a Navy building and opened fire, killing a dozen people and injuring eight more. The streets in the Navy Yard neighborhood were immediately filled with chaos, the endless sound of sirens, and residents scrambling to reconnect with their missing loved ones. On Sept. 16, 2013, Navy Yard become home to the international press, and the District joined a growing list of cities where a senseless mass shooting has occurred.

It didn’t take long for the streets to return to normal. The Nats played a game in their home stadium the very next day. But, as the Washington Post reported more in depth today, the loss of the Navy officers and bureaucrats who died that day is still felt in the Navy Yard office buildings.

Today, D.C. is paying tribute to the shooting victims and the emergency personnel who ran to try and save as many people as possible. There was a private memorial ceremony this morning inside the building where the shooting occurred, and the public is invited to attend another one tonight. Mayor Vince Gray, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, Interim D.C. Fire Chief Eugene Jones, and Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer are among those who will be in attendance.

Tonight’s memorial is at 6 p.m. at Canal Park, Canal and L streets SE.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery