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WATCH: TheBlaze staffer shocked to find out he knew Washington Navy Yard shooter

September 17, 2013
Wilson

Writer

Chris Childs, director for Pat & Stu realized something shocking yesterday: he knew Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis. Childs had frequented the Ft. Worth, TX Thai restaurant where Alexis had worked, and had had many conversations with the suspected killer.

"Well, the first time we met obviously was at the restaurant, and I had gone in there with a couple of friends from my previous job before I started working at TheBlaze and we were big lovers of Thai food and we found this place and he was a waiter, a waiter kind of just hanging out," Childs explained.

"How did he seem to you? Did he seem like a guy who would ever do something like this?" Pat asked.

"Absolutely not," Childs responded.

Childs said that Alexis was very nice and pretty quiet, and that he was really into the video games Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

"Did you ever have any sense at all that he was trouble at all," Glenn asked.

"No, that's the thing that floors me is he was not that type of person. He never seemed angry, he never seemed like he was bitter about anything and even when I was talking to one of my friends who was with the owner of the restaurant last night, he was saying they're all just floored."

WATCH:

Full Transcript below:

Last night I was on the show and the picture came on the screen of the guy who was the killer, and I did the show. And right after a couple of our employees came and said, "Glenn, we know this guy." Now, Chris is the guy who's known as the guy who wears the Hawaiian shirt at TheBlaze and Mercury studios.

PAT: And he wears it every day.

STU: It's on his business card.

GLENN: No, he's got different shirts and it's not just that one Hawaiian shirt.

PAT: No, several.

GLENN: He's got every Hawaiian shirt that has ever been made, I believe.

STU: (Laughing.)

GLENN: And I'm not one to mock somebody's sense of fashion, I just want you to know that.

STU: That's just because you know we will mock you in return.

GLENN: Yes. So Chris comes up and he said, "I know this guy, know him quite well. He works at a Thai restaurant in Fort Worth that I go to." Now, all of this has been verified, but this was 5:00 yesterday afternoon. Brought Chris in this morning. He's actually the director of the Pat and Stu show. He's the guy in the control room that makes all the calls, which, he hasn't made the call, and I guess this might be mine, to cancel the show, but ‑‑

STU: (Laughing.)

GLENN: But anyway, we wanted to bring Chris in and talk a little bit about, how did you meet him and who was he?

CHRIS: Well, the first time we met obviously was at the restaurant, and I had gone in there with a couple of friends from my previous job before I started working at TheBlaze and we were big lovers of Thai food and we found this place and he was a waiter, a waiter kind of just hanging out.

PAT: So you'd just, you would go in there and strike up a conversation with him when you went in to eat?

CHRIS: Yeah. Because you didn't go to Happy Bowl for a quick lunch. I mean, it was a good solid hour and a half just because it was, you know ‑‑

GLENN: Well, it's a happy bowl.

CHRIS: Huh?

GLENN: It's a happy bowl.

CHRIS: It's a happy bowl.

GLENN: It implies happiness.

CHRIS: Yeah, happiness takes time.

GLENN: Yes, it does. Now, did you know, for instance, that he was a Buddhist?

CHRIS: No, I didn't.

GLENN: Okay.

CHRIS: I mean, I know that he was living with the owner of the restaurant, Wi, and I know Wi was a Buddhist. So it doesn't surprise me that ‑‑

GLENN: You and who else?

CHRIS: Huh?

GLENN: You and who else?

STU: No, stop. Let him do the stupid story, please.

GLENN: No, come on. That's ‑‑ you don't get a guy named Wi very often.

STU: You do many times in certain areas of the world, yes, you do.

GLENN: Okay. All right. So ‑‑

CHRIS: I knew that ‑‑ you're killing me, just killin' me. Wi was a Buddhist and so it doesn't ‑‑ like I said, it doesn't surprise that ‑‑

GLENN: If we could just get ‑‑ if we could just get Hu into this story.

CHRIS: Who?

PAT: We're done with the whole thing.

STU: See, we have plenty of opportunities to do the Hu joke and the Wi joke. Can we get the story from a guy who actually knew?

GLENN: I don't ‑‑

STU: ‑‑ the murderer here? I mean, is that too much to ask?

PAT: So the obvious question then is, Chris, how did he seem to you? Did he seem like a guy who would ever do something like this?

CHRIS: Absolutely not. He's that stereotypical ‑‑

PAT: Quiet?

CHRIS: ‑‑ quiet. He would ‑‑

PAT: Nice? Was he nice?

CHRIS: Oh, he was really friendly, really nice.

PAT: Really?

CHRIS: And just, you know, he would sit up at the ‑‑ sit up at the counter and take orders and just be as nice as could be. And he would ‑‑ you know, I do know that he taught himself the language of Thai, self‑taught, which was real easy since the owners were also from Thailand. So I'm sure he had lots of people to practice on.

STU: When he ‑‑ would you say, was there any conversations you have outside of, you know, pad Thai‑related conversations? Did you talk to him about what he did in his life, did you talk to him about ‑‑

GLENN: Because you said to me yesterday you knew that he was into the shooter video games.

CHRIS: Oh, yeah.

GLENN: You said he was really into them.

CHRIS: Really into them. When a new game would come out, there's a couple of guys that I worked with that were also kinda sorta into shooter games but by the first new one would come out, he would know a lot about the game, like maps and that kind of stuff.

PAT: So you would talk to him about these video games?

CHRIS: Yeah.

PAT: Like Call of Duty or what?

CHRIS: Yeah.

PAT: Resident Evil?

CHRIS: Yeah. And I think he was a Warcraft guy too.

PAT: Now, were you the one, because somebody has said that he played these games up to 16 hours a day. Is that information coming from ‑‑

CHRIS: That didn't come from me but it wouldn't surprise me because I think basically all he did was work a little bit at the restaurant and then go home and ‑‑

GLENN: Did he seem like an angry guy?

CHRIS: No. No, that was the thing.

GLENN: Because they're reporting today that he had problems with white people.

PAT: And anger management.

CHRIS: Yeah, I read that, but he didn't show that towards us. I mean, we were a table full of white guys.

PAT: And clearly you're as white as it gets.

STU: (Laughing.)

PAT: I mean, nobody is whiter than you, Chris. Am I right?

CHRIS: That's coming from you?

PAT: Yes. You're even whiter than I am.

GLENN: Well, because of the Hawaiian shirt, I think.

PAT: Yes, I think the Hawaiian shirt really ‑‑

GLENN: Only because of wearing the Hawaiian shirt.

CHRIS: I am wearing pants today. So that is a good thing.

PAT: That is a good thing.

GLENN: I will tell you that I have been thinking about instituting a "You must wear pants" policy.

STU: We just had an adult on TV brag about wearing pants.

GLENN: Yeah. I know. We are really kind of ‑‑ you know, operating in television and operating in television in the South is a little different.

PAT: It is different.

GLENN: You're like, I decided not to wear pants today. "Okay."

STU: So how many times would you say you frequented this restaurant? It was a place you went a lot? I mean, did you get a lot of conversation?

GLENN: Yeah, how many times did you actually ‑‑

CHRIS: I probably went there, once we found the place, we went up there quite often, like once or twice a week.

GLENN: Is he a guy that if you would have walked on the street, he would have said, "Chris"?

CHRIS: Probably not. Because he was that ‑‑ I don't think he was that kind of guy really. He wasn't outgoing or anything. I mean, he's literally real quiet. I would have been the one to say, "Hey, Aaron, how's it going?" He would be like, "Oh, hey, dude." You know, I mean, it was just, he was not very ‑‑

PAT: So you guys never, you never did anything with him outside of the restaurant?

CHRIS: No.

STU: You weren't in his wedding or anything?

CHRIS: No.

GLENN: Did you ever have any sense at all that ‑‑

CHRIS: None.

GLENN: ‑‑ he was trouble at all?

CHRIS: None.

GLENN: Anybody walk away from that conversation and say...

PAT: That guy's got some issues?

GLENN: That guy's got some issues, man, there's something about that guy?

CHRIS: No, that's the thing that floors me is he was not that type of person. He never seemed angry, he never seemed like he was bitter about anything and even when I was talking to one of my friends who was with the owner of the restaurant last night, he was saying they're all just floored.

STU: Oh, man. The interviews with the owner of the restaurant were heartbreaking because the guy seems to be a standup guy.

CHRIS: Yeah.

STU: And once a small business. He, you know, brought this guy into his home.

GLENN: He ‑‑ yeah, tried to help him.

STU: Tried to help him.

CHRIS: Aaron was the best man at his wedding last year.

GLENN: No, I think he was supposed to be and then he had to miss it, didn't he? He went some ‑‑

CHRIS: I didn't make the wedding, either, but I know he was supposed to be.

GLENN: Would you have ‑‑ you're a good customer. If you would have been invited to the ‑‑

CHRIS: I would have gone, absolutely. Wi's a good guy. It's a really good family.

GLENN: Who?

CHRIS: And it's ‑‑ you guys.

STU: I don't want to say us guys. It's Glenn.

PAT: Yeah, it's just Glenn.

STU: Just Glenn doing this today.

GLENN: So good. I mean, it's just so good, all the way through I had Wi and Hu jokes the whole time.

STU: That was you exercising restraint.

Shocking Christian massacres unveiled

Aldara Zarraoa / Contributor | Getty Images

Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

Yawar Nazir / Contributor | Getty Images

In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

LOUAI BESHARA / Contributor | Getty Images

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Stringer | Getty Images

In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / Contributor | Getty Images

Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?  

Should Starbase become its own city?  

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

Chip Somodevilla / Staff | Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

Global Images Ukraine / Contributor | Getty Images

Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

Handout / Handout | Getty Images

While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

Did Trump's '51st state' jab just cost Canada its independence?

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Did Canadians just vote in their doom?

On April 28, 2025, Canada held its federal election, and what began as a promising conservative revival ended in a Liberal Party regroup, fueled by an anti-Trump narrative. This outcome is troubling for Canada, as Glenn revealed when he exposed the globalist tendencies of the new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. On a recent episode of his podcast, Glenn hosted former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who provided insight into Carney’s history. She revealed that, as governor of the Bank of England, Carney contributed to the 2022 pension crisis through policies that triggered excessive money printing, leading to rampant inflation.

Carney’s election and the Liberal Party’s fourth consecutive victory spell trouble for a Canada already straining under globalist policies. Many believed Canadians were fed up with the progressive agenda when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned amid plummeting public approval. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, started 2025 with a 25-point lead over his Liberal rivals, fueling optimism about his inevitable victory.

So, what went wrong? How did Poilievre go from predicted Prime Minister to losing his own parliamentary seat? And what details of this election could cost Canada dearly?

A Costly Election

Mark Carney (left) and Pierre Poilievre (right)

GEOFF ROBINSPETER POWER / Contributor | Getty Images

The election defied the expectations of many analysts who anticipated a Conservative win earlier this year.

For Americans unfamiliar with parliamentary systems, here’s a brief overview of Canada’s federal election process. Unlike U.S. presidential elections, Canadians do not directly vote for their Prime Minister. Instead, they vote for a political party. Each Canadian resides in a "riding," similar to a U.S. congressional district, and during the election, each riding elects a Member of Parliament (MP). The party that secures the majority of MPs forms the government and appoints its leader as Prime Minister.

At the time of writing, the Liberal Party has secured 169 of the 172 seats needed for a majority, all but ensuring their victory. In contrast, the Conservative Party holds 144 seats, indicating that the Liberal Party will win by a solid margin, which will make passing legislation easier. This outcome is a far cry from the landslide Conservative victory many had anticipated.

Poilievre's Downfall

PETER POWER / Contributor | Getty Images

What caused Poilievre’s dramatic fall from front-runner to losing his parliamentary seat?

Despite his surge in popularity earlier this year, which coincided with enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s inauguration, many attribute the Conservative loss to Trump’s influence. Commentators argue that Trump’s repeated references to Canada as the "51st state" gave Liberals a rallying cry: Canadian sovereignty. The Liberal Party framed a vote for Poilievre as a vote to surrender Canada to U.S. influence, positioning Carney as the defender of national independence.

Others argue that Poilievre’s lackluster campaign was to blame. Critics suggest he should have embraced a Trump-style, Canada-first message, emphasizing a balanced relationship with the U.S. rather than distancing himself from Trump’s annexation remarks. By failing to counter the Liberal narrative effectively, Poilievre lost momentum and voter confidence.

This election marks a pivotal moment for Canada, with far-reaching implications for its sovereignty and economic stability. As Glenn has warned, Carney’s globalist leanings could align Canada more closely with international agendas, potentially at the expense of its national interests. Canadians now face the challenge of navigating this new political landscape under a leader with a controversial track record.