The Pentagon has gone into lockdown after multiple injuries in a shooting at its transit center. A police officer is reportedly among the wounded. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) has asked the public to avoid the area.
In a tweet on Tuesday morning, the PFPA said that the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia – the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense – was in a state of lockdown due to “an incident” at the facility’s Metro station, without providing further details.
Local reports said several people, including a police officer, were injured after gunshots were fired at the transit center.
A Politico reporter, citing sources with the PFPA, said that the shooter was neutralized by a Pentagon police officer and did not make it inside the military headquarters. She added that another officer was injured in the incident and is receiving medical attention off-site.
The Arlington Fire and Emergency Medical Service confirmed via Twitter that they encountered multiple patients and that the “scene is still active.”
Footage shared on social media appeared to show CPR being administered to at least two people.
The Pentagon currently is on lock down due to an incident at the Pentagon Transit Center. We are asking the public to please avoid the area. More information will be forthcoming.
— Pentagon Force Protection Agency (Official) (@PFPAOfficial) August 3, 2021
An Arlington police source confirms a Pentagon officer was injured and transported after shooting near metro station platform that’s put the Pentagon on lockdown. @fox5dc is on scene pic.twitter.com/E7lf8YkSSP
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) August 3, 2021
In videos posted online, police and emergency response vehicles can be seen rushing towards the Metro station, which is just meters away from the Pentagon building.
A reporter for Newsy said that sniffer dogs have also been deployed at the site to sweep for any possible explosive material.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Washington Field Division, also confirmed that they were responding to the “shooting” incident near the Pentagon.
— The Gambling Tailor (@TheGambleTailor) August 3, 2021
An announcement at the Pentagon itself said that the lockdown was due to “police activity.” Subway trains were ordered to bypass the station so that the police operation could continue unhindered.
In a tweet just before midday local time (4pm GMT), the PFPA confirmed that “the scene of the incident is secure.” The agency added that facility is still an active crime scene and requested people stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area.
The scene of the incident is secure. It is still an active crime scene. We request that everyone stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area. Transportation at the Pentagon is diverted to Pentagon City.
— Pentagon Force Protection Agency (Official) (@PFPAOfficial) August 3, 2021
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