WASHINGTON (WUSA9) – A
report of possible gunshots at the Navy Yard triggered a massive law
enforcement response in the area Thursday morning, where no evidence of a
shooter or shooting were found.
At 7:29 a.m., an official at the Navy Yard called D.C. law enforcement officials for assistance after someone reported hearing gunshots. Multiple agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, U.S. Park Police, Homeland Security and the ATF responded.
All buildings at the Navy Yard were on lockdown and many people were evacuated. No one was injured, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The FBI and D.C. police gave the all clear at approximately 10 a.m., about two and a half hours after initial reports.
Multiple roads were closed in the area during the incident.
The scene was reminiscent of 2013's mass shooting, when a lone gunman opened fire in Building 197, killing 12 people and injuring three others.
Keep up with WUS9's live blog below.At 7:29 a.m., an official at the Navy Yard called D.C. law enforcement officials for assistance after someone reported hearing gunshots. Multiple agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, U.S. Park Police, Homeland Security and the ATF responded.
All buildings at the Navy Yard were on lockdown and many people were evacuated. No one was injured, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The FBI and D.C. police gave the all clear at approximately 10 a.m., about two and a half hours after initial reports.
Multiple roads were closed in the area during the incident.
The scene was reminiscent of 2013's mass shooting, when a lone gunman opened fire in Building 197, killing 12 people and injuring three others.
11:21 a.m.: D.C. police tweet out: "The Mayor's Office has counseling resources for Navy Yard staff and residents re: today's events. Call (866) 962-5048 or (888) 7WE-HELP."
11:12 a.m.: Police chief Cathy Lanier says agencies in city "very well-prepared" for situations like this one. The response people saw at Navy Yard is what happens all the time, she says. Some people saw plain clothes officers not realizing it and called police. Officers in uniform and without uniform all on the scene. Information was coming in constantly. "We don't take anything for granted," said Lanier.
11:10 a.m. Active shooter drills done on a routine basis, says Admiral Dixon Smith. "No doubt that that helped this morning"
11:06 a.m.: DC police chief Cathy Lanier says a call was placed from inside the building that went to internal call center at NAVSEA command at 7:29 a.m. regarding possible shorts fired. Police do not believe anything malicious happened. Said caller did exactly what police tell people to do when they hear or see something suspicious.
11:05 a.m.: Admiral Dixon Smith says officers are doing a final walk-through. He expect it to be done soon. Counselors and chaplains with anyone who needs them.
11:03 a.m.: Employee at Navy Yard reported that she might have heard gunshot at facility, says Mayor Muriel Bowser. Police found no evidence of shooter, shooting, or victims. A lot of lessons learned since 2013 mass shooting at Navy Yard.
10:26 a.m.: U.S. Navy confirms no sign of shooting at Navy Yard. "All personnel ok," reports Navy.
10:13 a.m.: D.C. police issue a press release:
"A call was placed from a building inside of the Washington Navy yard for possible sounds of gun shots around 0729 AM - a subsequent request was made to partner law enforcement agencies for assistance. At this time we have completed our search of the building and have found no evidence of a shooting or injured personnel.
The scene has been turned back over to Vice Admiral Hilarides of the NavSea Command."
10:05 a.m.: DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to give press conference at 10:45 a.m.
10:04 a.m.: D.C. Council Member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D – Ward 5) released a written statement, thanking first responders:
"The Metropolitan Police Department, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, District Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, and all of our partner federal law enforcement agencies responded swiftly to the Navy Yard after reports of an active shooter. Though thankfully the reports of an active shooter proved to be unsubstantiated, the unfortunate reality is that we must continue to stay vigilant and ready to respond to incidents and threats.
"I want to especially thank the brave women and men who work as first responders. As we move forward and review the after-action reports, I will continue to work with all of our agencies to be sure they have the training and technology needed to continue to protect our city. This holiday weekend we can help our first responders by always reporting any suspicious activity to 911."
10:03 a.m.: ATF officers at scene appear to be talking strategy, reports Russ Ptacek. Also notes construction in the area may have sparked loud noise/gun shots fired report. No shots fired, say officials.
10:02 a.m.: D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier tells CBS NEWS they will be clearing scene and turning it over to Washington Navy Yard officers
10:00 a.m.: Lockdown lifted at Tyler Elementary School for summer school program attendees, according to DC Public Schools officials
9:56 a.m.: The FBI says all is clear at the Navy Yard
9:49 a.m.: Police presence continues to dwindle but no all clear given. Officers out directing traffic in the area.
9:46 a.m.: Street closures remain on M St from S Capitol to 11 St SE.
9:44 a.m.: CBS NEWS: Officers that ran towards Department of Transportation headquarters found maintenance worker on roof. No threat.
9:41 a.m.: All clear NOT given yet. Building still on lockdown.
9:38 a.m.: Police storm new building at Navy Yard, reports Russ Ptacek
9:35 a.m.: Police vehicles leaving the scene without sirens on. Homeland Security vehicles remain. Some people starting to leave the streets as well.
9:32 a.m.: Delia Goncalves tweets photo from second scene near 3rd and M Streets near Navy Yard. Reports police ran down street.
9:21 a.m.: Official says Navy security saw surveillance video of two people jumping the fence in the vicinity of Navy Yard building, reports Associated Press
9:20 a.m.: Metropolitan Police Department source tells Garrett Haake no shots were ever fired. Initial indications are that loud noises frightened someone
9:16 a.m.: No terrorist threat was made on the Navy Yard
9:15 a.m.: Building 197, the scene of 2013's mass shooting, remains on lockdown
9:13 a.m.: "Everyone knew what to do in this situation," reported Bruce Johnson regarding police response. Says they were prepared after Sept. 2013 shooting.
9:06 a.m.: Very active scene with multiple helicopters still flying over the scene. Large presence of police cars on M St.
9:04 a.m.: Navy Yard staffer tells Mike Hydeck the first thing he did after being evacuated was borrow a phone to tell family he was okay.
9:00 a.m.: DC police chief tells CBS News nothing found so far
8:57 a.m.: Helicopters used in search at Navy Yard as police continue looking in building. Bruce Johnson reports a single person made a call for 'shots fired', but nobody has confirmed any shots
8:55 a.m.: U.S. Navy says "Navy Yard currently on lockdown with orders to shelter in place. No incident can be confirmed as of yet."
8:54 a.m.: DC Fire says everyone is accounted for and there are no injuries
8:50 a.m.: 5th floor cleared. Witnesses at scene say that police were looking on second floor.
8:46 a.m.: Multiple agencies remain on scene: DC Police, Park Police, Homeland Security, ATF & more
8:45 a.m.: DC Fire reports no injuries so far
8:44 a.m.: Navy Yard employee says workers were told to shelter in offices, turn off lights before evacuation
8:37 a.m.: Homeland Security vehicle rolls in
8:30 a.m.: People evacuated from buildings near Navy Yard building are on the street waiting to see what to do next. One man told Mike Hydeck that he saw a note on the door of the Dept of Transportation telling him about the lockdown. Now he has to find his way back home.
8:26 a.m.: Police source tells Nikki Burdine Navy security reporting that police are looking for two men. "2 shooters white male black male last seen 2nd floor."
8:25 a.m.: Mike Hydeck sees at least two dozen police cars forming perimeter at Navy Yard. People from Building 197 remark that they can't believe this is happening again.
8:16 a.m.: Media relocated further from scene as law enforcement suit up to go in to sweep building. WUSA9's Delia Goncalves describes scene as "pretty chaotic."
8:14 a.m.: More road closures expected.
8:10 a.m.: Navy says incident has not been confirmed. Confirms campus is on lockdown.