TAMPA, Fla. — The family of a woman killed during a mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in September is seeking $37.5 million from the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs, saying that red flags about the deteriorating mental health of the killer were ignored.

During a news conference today in Tampa, attorneys for the family of Mary DeLorenzo Knight said they are seeking the money in an administrative claim. The claim, which is the first step toward filing a lawsuit, has been delivered to the agencies.

Aaron Alexis gunned down 12 people at the Navy Yard on Sept. 16 before being killed in a shootout with police.

At issue is whether the company that employed Alexis knew he was having mental health problems and whether the federal agencies were aware of his troubles.