3 injured in shooting outside NSA in Maryland, suspect arrested (PHOTOS)
Three people in an unauthorized vehicle attempted to get into the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters. Several people, including an attacker, were injured in a shooting.
Police in Fort Meade, Maryland responded to a shooting Wednesday morning. Photos emerged on social media showing a black SUV pinned behind a concrete barrier just outside of the NSA headquarters. The vehicle was surrounded by police and appeared to have gunshots in its front windshield. The FBI sent personnel to respond to the incident, FBI Baltimore said on Twitter.
#Chopper4 showing bullet holes through windshield of SUV after it crashes into NSA campus entrance, at least one person in custody, possibly another shot, turn on @nbcwashington for updates #breakingnewspic.twitter.com/sNtCaJjIPR
— Brad Freitas (@Chopper4Brad) February 14, 2018
An official NSA statement later reported that “shortly after 7:00am a vehicle attempted to enter [the] NSA’s secure campus in Ft. Meade, Maryland without authorization". It also assured that the incident was “under control” and that there was “no ongoing security or safety threat”.
WJLA: NSA releases statement on shooting. Says "several individuals" hospitalized after unauthorized car drove onto Ft. Meade. Says early reports do not indicate anyone was shot at this time. pic.twitter.com/RnXVCDtbmy
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) February 14, 2018
It explained that “weapons were discharged in the course of the incident.”
Three people have been injured: an NSA office, a civilian onlooker and one of the people from the vehicle. They were taken to local hospitals. Two other men from the van were taken into custody.
@AACoFD is assisting Fort Meade Fire Department with an incident at NSA. No additional information is available. @AACOPD is not the lead investigating agency. Questions should be referred to NSA and Fort Meade Public Affairs. @FortMead
— Anne Arundel Fire (@AACoFD) February 14, 2018
FBI is presently leading the investigation.
Highway 32 was closed in both directions, local authorities said on Twitter. Drivers were advised to take alternate routes and “expect long delays.”
All @AACoFD resources have been released from the incident at NSA. All release of information is being coordinated through the NSA/CSS Public and Media Affairs Office.
— Russ Davies (@AACountyFirePIO) February 14, 2018
US President Donald Trump has been “briefed on the shooting,” AP reports, citing White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters.
Meanwhile, federal officials stated that the situation does not appear to be “terrorist-related”. Local channel WTOP news reported that law enforcement agencies said that the vehicle was not targeting the NSA.
#BREAKING: @Chopper4Brad over the scene of an apparent shooting at the entrance of the NSA. At least one suspect appears to be taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/ptMpwkubGE
— Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) February 14, 2018
Spokesperson Lindsay Walkers offered her thoughts and prayers to those that were affected by the attack, the BBC mentioned.
It is not the first attack on the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland. In 2015, one person was killed and two were injured after two men disguised as women rammed a stolen van into the gates of the agency.
