Pentagon briefly locked down after gunshots fired
October 19th, 2010 - 11:41 pm ICT by BNO NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. was briefly locked down on early Tuesday morning after several gunshots were fired at the southern side of the building, authorities said.
Pentagon Police said all entrances to the Pentagon were closed at about 4.50 a.m. EDT after a report was received that five gunshots had been heard at the southern side of the building, which is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense. Bus bays and parking lots were also closed.
About 15 minutes later, all restrictions were lifted after two police sweeps involving Pentagon police and Arlington police found nothing suspicious. However, police later discovered two bullets fired from a riffle that had struck reinforced glass on the upper floor.
Minor damage was reported, but there were no injuries. It is unclear who fired the shots.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force also responded to the scene to investigate, also there was no immediate sign that the incident was related to terrorism.
On March 4, 36-year-old John Patrick Bedell injured two Pentagon Police officers when he opened fire at a Pentagon security checkpoint. Three officers returned fire, killing the suspect who had a history of mental illness.
Since the shooting attack, security has been increased at the Pentagon, which was also a target on September 11, 2001 when terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the building. A total of 189 people were killed, including all 64 people onboard Flight 77.
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