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Washington DC shooting: police respond to 'several deaths' at navy yard Washington DC shooting: police respond to 'several deaths' at navy yard
(35 minutes later)
A shooting incident at the US naval sea systems command headquarters in Washington resulted in "several" deaths on Monday, the navy said. Police were hunting two suspected gunmen on Monday after a third was killed during a mass shooting at a navy base in Washington DC that caused multiple fatalities.
Security forces are on the scene and have created a "shelter in place" order, which means the 3,000 staff at the headquarters have been ordered to remain in their offices and await help. There were reports of multiple injuries. The city's police chief, Cathy Lanier, said several people were shot dead in the incident at the Washington Navy Yard, headquarters of the US naval sea systems command.
A navy official told the Guardian that the incident, which began at 8.20am, is believed to be restricted to building 197 in the navy yard. "An active shooter was reported inside the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building (building 197) on the Washington navy yard at 8.20am," the navy said in a statement. A police officer was among those killed. Neither Lanier nor hospital officials were willing to confirm the total number of dead.
The base and its 3,000 staff were placed on lockdown shortly after first reprts of shootings at 8.20am ET.
Four hours later, details of the incident were still unclear. "This investigation is still very active," Lanier told reporters gathered near the base. "We potentially have two other shooters that we have not located at this point."
A navy official initially told the Guardian that the incident, which began at 8.20am, was believed to be restricted to building 197 in the navy yard. "An active shooter was reported inside the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building (building 197) on the Washington navy yard at 8.20am," the navy said in a statement.
"Emergency personnel are on scene and a 'shelter in place' order has been issued for navy yard personnel.""Emergency personnel are on scene and a 'shelter in place' order has been issued for navy yard personnel."
The gunman was reported to have barricaded himself into a room. Police were seen rushing into building 197 at about 9.10am. Reuters quoted a police spokesman as saying four people were injured. A gunman was reported to have barricaded himself into a room. Police were seen rushing into building 197 at about 9.10am.
The navy statement added that the headquarters is used by "command staff, headquarters directorates, affiliated Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and numerous field activities".The navy statement added that the headquarters is used by "command staff, headquarters directorates, affiliated Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and numerous field activities".
CNN reported that three shots were fired. Naval sea systems command (Navsea) is the largest of the navy's five system commands. The base is used to engineer, build and maintain ships, submarines and combat systems. Naval sea systems command (Navsea) is the largest of the navy's five system commands. The base is used to engineer, build and maintain ships, submarines and combat systems.
Citing a police official, the Washington Post reported that a police officer was among those injured by the gunman, who barricaded themselves into a single room in the yard. CNN, quoting an official from Washington's Metropolitan police department, said there had been 10 victims. One of the gunmen was described as a 6ft tall black male who was bald and dressed in a black top and black jeans.
CNN, also quoting an official from Washington's Metropolitan police department, said there had been 10 victims, including one police officer. The gunman was described as a 6ft tall black male who was bald and dressed in a black top and black jeans.
The reports could not be independently confirmed.
The US navy tweeted that there were "several injuries with reports of fatalities" during the incident.The US navy tweeted that there were "several injuries with reports of fatalities" during the incident.
Almost two hours after the incident began, the gunman was still not believed to have been apprehended.
The navy yard is a secure military facility and it would be unusual for a non-staff member without credentials to be permitted onto the site. Clearance and security ID are typically required to access the base.The navy yard is a secure military facility and it would be unusual for a non-staff member without credentials to be permitted onto the site. Clearance and security ID are typically required to access the base.
Many of the streets surrounding the yard, which is the south-west of the city, beside the Anacostia river, have been locked down.Many of the streets surrounding the yard, which is the south-west of the city, beside the Anacostia river, have been locked down.
Helicopters were hovering above the scene, and there was a huge police presence near the yard, a complex of several buildings near the Washington Nationals' baseball stadium, about a mile from Capitol Hill.Helicopters were hovering above the scene, and there was a huge police presence near the yard, a complex of several buildings near the Washington Nationals' baseball stadium, about a mile from Capitol Hill.
Across the river, flights from Reagan national airport were suspended for a time.Across the river, flights from Reagan national airport were suspended for a time.
A White House official told a pool reporter that Barack Obama has been briefed several times about the "unfolding situation at the Washington navy yard".A White House official told a pool reporter that Barack Obama has been briefed several times about the "unfolding situation at the Washington navy yard".
The briefings were given by Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president on homeland security and counter-terrorism, and deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco.The briefings were given by Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president on homeland security and counter-terrorism, and deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco.
"The president directed his team to stay in touch with our federal partners, including the navy and FBI, as well as the local officials," the official said. "We urge citizens to listen to the authorities and follow directions from the first responders on site.""The president directed his team to stay in touch with our federal partners, including the navy and FBI, as well as the local officials," the official said. "We urge citizens to listen to the authorities and follow directions from the first responders on site."
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