WASHINGTON—A gunman opened fire at the U.S. Navy Yard in southeast Washington Monday morning, killing more than one person and injuring at least nine others, police and military officials said.
Law-enforcement officials scrambled to apprehend the suspect in the incident, which began at about 8:30 a.m. at the naval facility, located near the U.S. Capitol complex and Washington Nationals stadium. D.C. police identified the suspect as a black male, about 6 feet tall and 170 pounds, dressed in a black shirt and hat.
A Navy official said there were "multiple fatalities" but couldn't confirm the precise number of deaths.
The Washington Navy Yard was locked down as officials pursued an "active shooter," according to Navy officials.
Lt. Lauren Dempsey, a Navy spokeswoman, said workers inside building 197 were ordered to shelter in place as officials pursued the shooter. A Washington police spokesman said at least eight civilians, one police officer and one naval-base officer were injured.
Dozens of police vehicles and ambulance and fire trucks clogged the streets in front of the Navy Yard in response to the shootings, which occurred during the Washington rush hour.
At least one bridge into the city, the 11th St. bridge over the Anacostia River, was closed. The Federal Aviation Administration said Reagan National Airport, located across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, wasn't allowing flights to take off because of the incident.
U.S. Capitol police said Capitol Hill was under enhanced security procedures but that there was no known threat on the grounds.
Building 197 is home to Naval Sea Systems command. About 3,000 people work in the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command. The command is in charge of procuring, engineering and building Navy ships and submarines, and is the largest of the five system commands. Overall, the command employs 60,000 people.
A law-enforcement official and a witness at the scene said the gunman walked up to the entrance to the facility and began shooting. The gunman fired on a number of people and then ran into the building, the official and the witness said.
Initial reports said the gunman was carrying one or more weapons, including a long gun like a rifle or shotgun.
Hasan Pehlivan, who identified himself as head of machinery and technicians for the Navy, said he was in his office on the second floor of 197 when the alarm went off and the workers were told to take shelter. Workers were told that the shooter was on the fourth floor of the building, where many of the top officers work.
"People on the fourth floor heard shooting and screaming," he said after being evacuated from the base. "They said it sounded like two people shooting back and forth."
A second Navy employee who asked not to be identified said he was working on the fifth floor of the building when he heard a loud bang in the building.
"It sounded like a table dropping," he said after wiping his eyes of tears and calling his son to let him know he was safe. "Then we heard the second one and took off."
The witness said he heard about six shots in the building before he and other workers got out of the building.
Top counterterrorism officials briefed President Barack Obama several times Monday about the shootings, according to a White House official. Mr. Obama was briefed on the unfolding situation by Lisa Monaco, the White House senior counterterrorism official, and Alyssa Mastromonaco, the president's deputy chief of staff.
"The President directed his team to stay in touch with our federal partners, including the Navy and FBI, as well as the local officials. We urge citizens to listen to the authorities and follow directions from the first responders on site," the official said.
No comments:
Post a Comment