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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
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Andrews Airbase Settles Reports of Active Shooter

CAMP SPRINGS, Md. (CN) — Misidentification of security forces prompted reports of an active shooter that put the home of Air Force One on lockdown for nearly two hours this morning, officials at Joint Base Andrews said.

The reports of a shooter at Malcolm Grow medical facility came in at around 9 a.m., according to posts on the base's Twitter account.

Such reports came before the start of a "no-notice active shooter exercise" that the base was scheduled to hold on the opposite side of the base later that morning.

One post notes that the reports were "miscommunicated."

"There was a misidentification of the security forces emergency services team who were conducting a routine inspection of the facility," another post says.

Though the base announced it had lifted the lockdown shortly before 10:40 a.m., the medical facility's status remains unclear.

"Fortunately, this was not a life-threatening situation," Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews commander, said.

"We take all threats seriously and reacted to ensure the security of those on the base," Hoagland added.

Joint Base Andrews is located in Prince George's County, Maryland, about 20 miles outside Washington, D.C.

In addition to Air Force One, the base is home to the 11 WG, 89 AW, 79 MW, 113 WG, 459 ARW and the Naval Air Facility Washington.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee when the reports of a shooter emerged.

"I don't have a comment at this time," Johnson said. "I've been here testifying. I received some initial reports as I was going in, and I'm about to receive another report, and until I do, I don't have a comment."

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