A naval ship docked at the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard.
Photo Credit: PH1 (AC) DAVID MACLEAN/Wikimedia Commons
September 16, 2013
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At least six people have been killed by a gunman at the Washington Navy Yard this morning, according to officials there. At least eight were injured.
The Washington, D.C. police have said that one shooter was involved, though some news reports indicated there were two. One shooter is now dead.
The Navy confirmed the shooting incident in a press release issued this morning. “ An active shooter was reported inside the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building (Bldg. 197) on the Washington Navy Yard at 8:20 a.m. (Eastern Time),” the statement said. 3,000 people work at the systems command headquarters. At least one of the injured is a police officer, according to the Washington Post, and NBC News reported that a federal officer was injured as well.
CNN quoted witnesses describing a chaotic scene at the yard as people attempted to escape the building. “People were pushing. People were shoving. People were falling down. After we came outside, people were climbing the wall, trying to get out over the wall. … It was just crazy,” one witness said.
The gunman had reportedly locked himself in a room at the Navy Yard.
The shooting has led to street closures and bus detours in Washington, D.C.
“If you live or work in Navy Yard area, please shelter in place until situation is cleared,” D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray tweeted.
Copyright: AlterNet