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Washington DC shooting: police respond to 'several deaths' at navy yard Washington DC shooting: several people and gunman shot dead
(35 minutes later)
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. 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 deaths.
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. Washington's police chief, Cathy Lanier, said several people were shot dead at the Washington Navy Yard, headquarters of the US naval sea systems command.
A police officer was among those injured. Neither Lanier nor hospital officials were willing to confirm the total number of dead.A police officer was among those injured. 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." The base and its 3,000 staff were placed on lockdown shortly after the first reports of shootings at about 8.20am ET. Four hours later, details of the incident were still unclear.
Washington DC's mayor, Vincent Gray, said: "We're still trying to confirm the number of fatalities". He said that four people who were wounded at the and were taken to hospital. He said it was an "isolated incident" but a live investigations and advised people to stay away from the scene. "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 Park Police official, which also had officers on the scene, said the situation was "still ongoing and fluid". Washington's mayor, Vincent Gray, said: "We're still trying to confirm the number of fatalities". He said that four people who were wounded were taken to hospitals. Grey described it as an "isolated incident" but a live investigation – and advised people to stay away from the scene.
Lanier said the Metropolitan Police Department received its first call at 8.15am ET describing an incident at the base, which is on the shore of the Anacostia River, just over a mile from the Capitol building. An armed response unit was on the scene within seven minutes, Lanier said. An official from the park police, which also had officers on the scene, said the situation was "still ongoing and fluid".
Patricia Ward, 53, a logistics specialist at the Navy, said she was in the canteen when the shooting took place on the fourth floor. "I heard the first three shots, pow pow pow. A few seconds later popopop – four more shots. Lanier said the Metropolitan police department received its first call at 8.15am, describing an incident at the base, on the shore of the Anacostia river, about a mile away from the Capitol building. An armed response unit was on the scene within seven minutes, Lanier said.
"And then everyone in the cafeteria just started running. We panicked as we didn't know which door to use. One lady said stay in the cafeteria but I just said no. We didn't scream, we were just in shocking, running, running." Patricia Ward, 53, a logistics specialist at the US navy, said she was in the cafeteria when the shooting took place. "I heard the first three shots: pow, pow, pow. A few seconds later: pop, pop, pop – four more shots.
Earlier, the navy said that it received the first reports of a shooter at 8.20am. "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. "And then everyone in the cafeteria just started running. We panicked, as we didn't know which door to use. One lady said stay in the cafeteria, but I just said no. We didn't scream. We were just in shock – running, running."
Earlier, the navy said that it received the first reports of a shooter at 8.20am.
"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."
A gunman was reported to have barricaded himself into a room. Police were seen rushing into building 197 at about 9.10am.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".
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.
During the incident, 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".
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 were closed. Helicopters hovered above the scene, and there was a huge police presence near the yard, a complex of several buildings near the Washington Nationals' baseball stadium.Many of the streets surrounding the yard were closed. Helicopters hovered above the scene, and there was a huge police presence near the yard, a complex of several buildings near the Washington Nationals' baseball stadium.
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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