Congressman Reports Active Shooter Situation From Walter Reed Medical Center
It was a drill, Navy says
Updated 5:51 p.m. | Naval personnel delivered the all clear Tuesday afternoon following reports of an active shooter situation at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Navy later confirmed the incident was a drill.
CONFIRMED: No active shooter at Naval Support Activity Bethesda. Was ad hoc drill by tenant command. https://t.co/P9N65mMdOA
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) November 27, 2018
But then another part of the Navy said no it was a false alarm.
Security responded and cleared the building, finding no indication of an active shooter.
After investigating the call and the origin, NSA Bethesda has determined that this was a false alarm and not part of a scheduled drill as has been reported.
2/2— NSABethesda (@nsabethesda) November 27, 2018
Maryland Democratic Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger tweeted earlier from the hospital reporting the situation and saying he was in a conference room with others.
I am currently at Walter Reed Medical in Bethesda where we’ve been told there is an active shooter. I am currently safe in a conference room w/ approx 40 others.
— Dutch Ruppersberger (@Call_Me_Dutch) November 27, 2018
Local media reported Montgomery County police assisted with the reported incident.
A number of Twitter accounts retweeted an all-clear notice from 2015 as the situation remained under investigation by law enforcement and others.
Initial reports came from the basement of building 19, which was cleared first while the facility remained on lockdown, according to Naval Support Activity Bethesda. The agency instructed individuals at the facility and nearby to await its all clear before entering or moving from shelter.
NSAB is charged with operational support of Walter Reed and dozens of other nearby facilities.