By W.J. Hennigan, Tribune Washington Bureau
Fort Lee officials have issued an all-clear after the Army base reported there was an active shooter on its base in central Virginia.
In a statement, the Army said first responders arrived Monday morning after a report of a female soldier with a gun inside the Combined Arms Support Command Headquarters building at about 9 a.m. EDT.
The Army said early reports indicate the soldier turned the weapon on herself and fired one shot. She was transported to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. Her condition was not immediately available.
The soldier’s name has not been released, but Fort Lee said on Facebook that she is a sergeant first class and has 14 years of service. No other injuries were reported, it said.
Special agents from the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command were on scene and investigating the incident, the Army said.
“No further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation,” the Army said.
News of the initial alert was posted on the base’s Facebook and Twitter pages at about 9:30 a.m. EDT.
According to the posts, the report occurred at Building 5020 at the Combined Arms Support Command.
“All personnel should enact active shooter protocols immediately,” the post said. “The installation is being locked down until further notice. More info to follow.”
A follow-up post issuing an all-clear came about 45 minutes later.
The base is about 25 miles south of the Virginia capital, Richmond. It is about 130 miles south of Washington.
Fort Lee is the third-largest training site in the Army, according to the base’s website. Its daily population averages about 34,000, including members from all branches, their families, civilians, and contractors.
AFP Photo/Win Mcnamee
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