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Shooter a false alarm

UPDATE: 1 p.m.

The military base outside Washington where the presidential plane Air Force One is stationed was temporarily locked down Thursday after an "active shooter" report that turned out to be a false alarm.

The report stemmed from someone who made a distress call after seeing security forces doing a routine inspection. The confusion was heightened by a planned active shooter drill at Joint Base Andrews that had not yet begun. Officials said in a Facebook post Thursday that there was no shooter and no threat to the base or workers there.

The base had been placed on lockdown about 9 a.m. after an active shooter was reported. The base is home to the presidential air fleet, including the planes that carry the call sign Air Force One when he is aboard. It is about 20 miles from Washington.

About an hour and a half later, the military post tweeted that the lock down had been lifted, except for the medical building where the active shooter was reported.

A law enforcement official said no active shooter was found at the post. The law enforcement official was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

"Fortunately, this was not a life-threatening situation," Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and base commander, said in the Facebook posting. "We take all threats seriously and reacted to ensure the security of those on the base."

Vice-President Joe Biden was scheduled to leave from Andrews on Thursday morning, but his trip was delayed by the lockdown.

The vice-president's office said he was waiting out the delay at his residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington.

Biden was due in Columbus, Ohio, for a midday campaign event for former Gov. Ted Strickland, who is running for Senate.

The president, vice-president and other senior government officials fly in and out of Joint Base Andrews.

President Barack Obama was last at the base Wednesday night when he returned from a trip to Ottawa, Canada

Emergency vehicles in the area of the base had on lights Thursday, but no sirens. At least three people in camouflage and helmets could be seen walking working dogs around the three-story building. About 10:15 a.m., a few people could be seen walking out of the building, including a person being moved in a wheelchair.

Rodney Smith, the patient advocate at the Andrews medical facility, said an active-shooter exercise was scheduled for Thursday morning, and then he was told it was a "real-world" situation.

"First it was an active-shooter exercise. Then it came back 'real world,'" Smith said by phone Thursday morning.

Smith said the situation was unfolding at the newer of two buildings at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility. He was in the older building.


UPDATE: : 8:40 a.m.

A military post near Washington said a lockdown was lifted Thursday except for a medical building where an active shooter was reported earlier in the day.

Joint Base Andrews said in a tweet about 10:20 a.m. that the all-clear was given for the base except for the medical building. The base did not say why the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility remained on lockdown.

A law enforcement official says no active shooter was found at the military post outside Washington.

The law enforcement official was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The base was placed on lockdown about 9 a.m. after an active shooter was reported. The base is home to Air Force One and is about 20 miles from Washington.

Even after the lockdown, it was not immediately clear if any shots had been fired.

Vice-President Joe Biden was scheduled to leave from Andrews on Thursday morning, but his trip was delayed by the lockdown.

The vice-president's office said he was waiting out the delay at his residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington.

Biden was due in Columbus, Ohio, for a midday campaign event for Gov. Ted Strickland.

The president, vice-president and other senior government officials fly in and out of Joint Base Andrews.

President Barack Obama was last at the base Wednesday night when he returned from a trip to Ottawa, Canada

Earlier Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said there was an "unfolding situation" at the base but provided no other details.

Emergency vehicles in the area of the base had on lights, but no sirens. At least three people in camouflage and helmets could be seen walking working dogs around the three-story building. About 10:15 a.m., a few people could be seen walking out of the building, including a person being moved in a wheelchair.

Helicopters hovered overhead, but it was unclear if they belonged to news organizations or the military.

Rodney Smith, the patient advocate at the Andrews medical facility, said an active-shooter exercise was scheduled for Thursday morning, and then he was told it was a "real-world" situation. He said he was on lockdown and didn't have any more information.

"First it was an active-shooter exercise. Then it came back 'real world,'" Smith said by phone Thursday morning.

Smith said the situation was unfolding at the newer of two buildings at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility. He was in the older building.


ORIGINAL 7 a.m.

Joint Base Andrews tweeted Thursday that the base was on lockdown due to a report of an active shooter.

The tweet instructed all personnel at the base in Washington's Maryland suburbs to shelter in place and says more information will be released as it comes.

A second tweet from the base said the incident was ongoing at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility and first responders were on the scene. It instructed everyone to continue to shelter in place, a precaution meant to keep people safe while remaining indoors.

Joint Base Andrews is located about 20 miles outside of downtown Washington, D.C. and hosts aircraft used by President Obama.



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