Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani was a second lieutenant in the Saudi Air Force in training at the site, US officials say. There are reports that he posted an online manifesto before the attack but this is yet to be confirmed.

Several Saudi nationals were detained near the scene of the shooting, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources.

According to the US Navy, there had in recent weeks been 18 Saudi naval aviators and two aircrew members training at Pensacola.

An investigation was taking place and names of victims would not be released until next of kin had been notified, it said in a statement.