Sailor charged with murder in U.K. sub shooting

LONDON - A Royal Navy sailor appeared in court Monday, charged with murdering an officer and shooting at three other crewmen in a gun spree aboard a British nuclear-powered submarine.

Able Seaman Ryan Donovan, 22, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief hearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court in southern England.

Prosecutor Nick Hawkins said Donovan was accused of "the deliberate discharge of a SA80 rifle six times, aimed at four people," one of whom died.

He said the military had agreed the case should be handled in the civilian courts.

Donovan was ordered detained until his next hearing on Wednesday.

Lt. Cmdr. Ian Molyneux, the weapons engineer on HMS Astute, was shot dead Friday while the submarine was docked in Southampton on a goodwill visit to the port city.

Another sailor was seriously wounded before the gunman was disarmed by fellow sailors and visiting dignitaries.

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, including the mayor of Southampton, in southern England.

Britain's Press Association news agency reported the dead and injured crewmen were officers, and the suspect 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.

"I decided the best form of defense at that point was probably to disarm the chap," Smith told the BBC.

Smith said he and others managed to wrestle the gun away from the suspect and subdue him.

As well as the murder charge, Donovan is charged with attempting to kill Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hodge, Petty Officer Christopher Brown and Chief Petty Officer David McCoy. Officials have not said which of the three was wounded.

Officials say the incident was not related to terrorism, but have not disclosed a possible motive for the attack.

The 1 billion pound ($1.6 billion) Astute is one of Britain's fleet of 11 nuclear-powered submarines. Its short career has been dogged by problems. Originally due to enter service in 2005, it began active duty in 2010, years behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget.

In October, it hit rocks and ran aground near the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. It was stuck for several hours until it was towed to safety. The vessel's commander was later removed from his post.