At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C. At least eight people have been injured, and several of the victims are reportedly in critical condition.
Two of those shot were Washington D.C. police officers. One suffered gunshot wounds to the leg; the other officer’s condition is not known.
Initial reports stated that three gunmen armed with AR-15 rifles opened fire at the yard on Monday morning (Eastern Standard Time); however, police now believe there were only two shooters. Shots were fired at the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building, where roughly 3,000 people work.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “pandemonium” as workers dropped everything and raced to get out.
Hundreds of police, SWAT and FBI response personnel are at the scene, and helicopters have been circling overhead.
Police say one shooter is “down.” It is not yet clear if the shooter was apprehended or shot.
A second shooter has been pinned down between the third and fourth floor of a building at the scene of the attack.
Several of the wounded remained trapped at the scene, with rescue personnel not authorized to go in to get them with gunmen still at large.
Nearby schools and public buildings were put on lockdown as the attack continued, and flights from Reagan National Airport were briefly halted.
The Naval Sea Systems Command engineers, purchases and maintains ships and submarines for the U.S. Navy. It is the U.S. Navy’s oldest shore installation.
Workers and newscasters expressed surprise Monday that the attackers managed to enter the building with unauthorized weapons. Workers reported that employees may enter the building only with ID cards, and that visitors must obtain security clearance.