Lockdown lifted at military post; no injuries reported
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Authorities blocked an entrance to Redstone Arsenal, today, in Huntsville, Ala. The military post said in a tweet it was on lockdown today amid reports of a possible active shooter, telling workers to “run hide fight.”
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. >> Authorities locked down an Alabama military post today amid reports of a possible active shooter, and workers were advised to “run hide fight.” About two hours later, the all-clear was given and officials said there were no confirmed injuries or arrests.
A safety drill was planned for Wednesday, but Redstone Arsenal spokesman Christopher Colster said he wasn’t sure “at this point what happened” at the base near Huntsville. He said a “methodical investigation” was underway.
“We do not believe there is a threat or we would not have opened the installation back up,” he said.
Earlier, Colster had said the report of a shooter was not part of any exercise. In a tweet announcing the possible shooter, the base said: “Possible active shooter on the Arsenal. Installation is locked down. Run hide fight.”
Police cars with flashing lights blocked entrances to Redstone, which also has facilities used by federal law enforcement agencies. Images on social media showed an ambulance and what appeared to be civilians standing outside the Sparkman Center, which includes multiple buildings with offices, an auditorium, cafeteria and an interior courtyard.
Amy Jay, whose husband was working at the Sparkman Center, said he was told the situation was over through an announcement over the building’s public address system.
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“Feeling like I can breathe again!” Jay wrote in a message to The Associated Press. “My husband is a contractor and a veteran so when we hear things like this we’re reminded of what happened at Fort Hood,” she said, referring to the 2009 shooting at a military base in Texas.
Before the lockdown was lifted, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office said it couldn’t provide any details.
“My office is aware of the developing situation at Redstone Arsenal, and we are monitoring it closely. I am praying for a swift resolution to this matter,” she said in a statement.
More than 30,000 government employees, civilians and contractors work daily at Redstone. It is home to Army missile defense programs and other military offices.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which oversees rocket propulsion operations, also is located at Redstone.
