Final Farewell; Sailor Who Died In Terrorist Attack Hailed A Hero

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — He was everything that embodies a hero, said Mohammed "Mo" Haitham's mother, Evelyn Brady.

He was passionate, caring and willing to put the welfare of others above himself.

She said those are the very qualities he demonstrated when he gave his life while running toward a gunman during the Dec. 6 terrorist attack at the Naval Air Station Pensacola.

"He pushed himself to greatness," said Brady during a candlelight vigil in her son's honor at his alma mater, Lakewood High School, Dec. 16, the day he would have turned 20 years old.

Ashley Williams

The vigil concluded with the releasing of 20 balloons, one for every year Haitham lived.

"And I'm proud of that. I'm proud to say that is my son," said Brady, wearing a T-shirt bearing a photo of her son in uniform. "I'm so proud."

She said she could feel her son's presence on the track of Lakewood High School. Brady led hundreds of students and community members who walked and ran the track in his honor. Haitham was a track and field star at the high school before graduating in 2018.

“I was feeling the wind and just feeling him running alongside me saying, ‘Go, Mama, go.’”

Related stories:

• 19-Year-Old Airman From St. Pete Among Those Killed In Pensacola
• Pensacola Military Shooting: 3 Killed By Gunman, Who Is Shot Dead
• Candlelight Vigil To Pay Tribute To Sailor 'Mo' Haitham

Family and friends bid a final farewell to Haitham during funeral services Saturday at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg where his casket received a hero's police escort.

Haitham's cousin posted a video of the service, saying, "Sleep peacefully, baby boy ... Your name will forever live on."

The U.S. Navy sailor, who hailed from St. Petersburg, was among three sailors killed by gunfire during the terrorist attack by a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force who was attending flight-training classes at the naval base.

Haitham had just graduated from boot camp and was eager to complete his aircrewman training and get his first assignment.

On Dec. 12, he received a posthumous promotion to Naval aircrewman mechanical 3rd class, according to the Navy.

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly also awarded Haitham and the other two sailors killed during the shooting the coveted Wings of Gold.

"These sailors exhibited the finest warrior ethos and quick decision-making that undoubtedly saved many lives," Modly said. "They took action when it was needed most, with the same skill and professionalism that they'd exhibited throughout their service to our nation."

"These young sailors represent the best of who we are as a Navy," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said. "It is right and fitting that we posthumously advance them to petty officers."

Brady, who retired from the military, said she was proud that her son followed in her footsteps after graduating from high school.

She said she wasn't surprised when she was told that her son run toward the shooter in the hopes of preventing deaths rather than away.

"It was just the kind of person he was," she said.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said Haitham was a remarkable citizen who "held the promise of a great leader."

While Haitham won't be around to fulfill that promise, Kriseman said he will be remembered for the positive qualities he demonstrated in his short life, qualities he hopes other young people will emulate.

Calling the Dec. 6 shooting a "despicable act of terror," Kriseman called for gun laws that would have prevented the attacker, 21-year-old 2nd Lt. Mohammad Saeed Alshamrani from legally obtaining a Glock 45-caliber 9 mm handgun in the United States.

"It is an act which could have been worse if not for Mo Haitham, because he is a hero who prevented the needless loss of many more lives," he said.