The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Military, was temporarily locked down after gunshots were fired near the building’s entrance on Tuesday morning. A Pentagon police officer was later stabbed to death, according to officials who weren’t authorized to speak to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity.
A Pentagon news conference was expected to provide more details on the violence. It was unclear at this time if there was a connection between the shooting of the officer and his stabbing. Authorities did not immediately give details about the events or their sequence.
According to the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency, the incident took place on a Metro bus platform which is part of the Pentagon Transit Center. It is also just steps away from the Pentagon. This facility is located in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River, from Washington, D.C.
A reporter from the Associated Press was near the building when he heard multiple gunshots followed by a pause and at least one more shot. Another AP journalist reported that police were shouting “shooter!”
According to a Pentagon announcement, the facility was under lockdown because of “police activity.” A Pentagon tweet shortly before noon stated that the scene was secured. Except for the crime scene, the lockdown was lifted.
At the time of the shooting, Lloyd Austin, Defense Secretary, and General Mark Milley (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) were meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden.
Two officers from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency sustained injuries when a gunman approached their security screening area in 2010. They survived and opened fire on the gunman, John Patrick Bedell, who was fatally wounded.
