Washington DC: Pentagon Shooting Media Reports - Suspect Identified as John Patrick Bedell
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AP Sources Identify Pentagon Metro Shooting Suspect
posted 03/04/10 10:03 pm
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0310/712750.html
ARLINGTON, Va. - Pentagon police confirm there was a shooting outside the Pentagon Metro Station, near the entrance to the military facility, around 6:40 p.m.
Sources have told the Associated Press they know the identity of the injured suspect and that there may be a second suspect.
Three people were injured during the shooting including two Pentagon police officers. The alleged gunman was also wounded.
Pentagon Police Chief Richard Keevill described the officers' injuries as "grazing injuries" and says they were wearing ballistic vests. He says the alleged gunman's injuries were more severe.
"His injury is pretty critical," said the chief.
The chief said the suspect, who is believed to be a U.S. citizen, walked up to the main entrance of the Pentagon and opened fire, hitting two officers.
The officers fired back and the suspect was hit.
Officers who were interviewed said the suspect walked up calmly, reached in a coat pocket and pulled out a gun. Then he started shooting.
The gun is described as a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Police are not discussing motives or giving the suspect's name or description at this time.
But Associated Press sources say the suspect in Pentagon shooting is 36-year-old John Patrick Bedell.
Law enforcement officials are investigating whether a second was involved in the shooting, according to the Associated Press.
The Pentagon police chief said he was pleased that the officers acted quickly and decisively and he said it was fortunate there were no other injuries.
The chief stressed that the suspect never got inside the building to hurt anyone and according to the chief the multiple layers of security worked because the suspect never got inside.
The subway station is adjacent to the Pentagon building and since a redesign after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon, riders can no longer exit directly into the building. Riders take a long escalator to the surface from the underground station, then pass through a security check outside the doors of the building before encountering more security.
After the attack, all Pentagon entrances were secured, then all were reopened except one from the subway, said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman.
The station is now open.
Pentagon Police, Arlington County Police and U.S. Secret Service officers are on scene.
The Pentagon has released a statement:
"A shooting incident has occurred at the Pentagon Metro Entrance this evening at approximately 6:40 p.m. EST. Two Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) officers were injured when an unknown suspect fired at them. The suspect was injured in return fire from the PFPA officers. Injuries to the two PFPA officers do not appear to be life threatening. A suspect is in custody and his condition is unknown. All three injured have been taken to a local hospital. All Pentagon entrances were secured for a brief time but have since been reopened with the exception of the Pentagon Metro entrance. The incident is under investigation. More details will be released when available."
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Officers Injured Stopping Gunman Outside the Pentagon
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/3-Shot-Near-Pentagon-Metro-Station-86428722.html
A man calmly approached a Pentagon pre-screening checkpoint and produced a handgun when asked for a pass Thursday evening, according to Pentagon officials.
Two Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers were shot at the Metro entrance to the Pentagon at about 6:40 p.m. when confronted by the gunman, officials said. The wounded officers returned fire and managed to keep the shooter out of the Pentagon, if getting inside was his intent.
"We have layers of security, and it worked," said PFPA Chief Richard Keevill. "He never got inside the building to hurt anybody."
The shooting was not an act of terror, according to the Pentagon. An official said it appears to be random. A law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity told the AP that while there's no immediate signs of terrorism, but, with information coming in quickly, authorities haven't ruled anything out.
It was a lone gunman, Keevill said, but the source said law enforcement is investigating whether another person may have been involved..
The officers and the shooter were taken to George Washington University Hospital. The officers were grazed. Their injuries are not life-threatening.
The shooter is in critical condition. Associated Press sources identified him as 36-year-old John Patrick Bedell, of California.
A third officer may have been involved, according to the PFPA.
A news conference about the shooting is planned for 6 a.m. Friday.
The Pentagon and the Pentagon Metro Station were locked down for more than an hour. Trains were diverted to the Pentagon City Metro Station and shuttle bus service was implemented, according to Metro. The station and the Pentagon Transit Center reopened at about 8 p.m., but the entrance to the Pentagon remains closed. The south entrance is open and trains are stopping at the station.
Keevill said he does not expect the Metro entrance to the Pentagon to be open when Metro opens Friday morning.
Pentagon officials also investigated some unattended packages outside the station, according to Metro.
The Metro station is immediately adjacent to the Pentagon building. Since a redesign following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon, riders can no longer disembark directly into the building, the Associated Press reported. Riders take a long escalator ride to the surface from the underground station, then pass through a security check outside the doors of the building, where further security awaits.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for updates as they become available.
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Three people shot outside Pentagon Metro station
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1904181
Authorities are investigating whether there was a second person involved in the shooting. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still unfolding.
They say there's no immediate signs of terrorism but, with information coming in quickly, they haven't ruled anything out.
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Shooting at Pentagon entrance by lone gunman leaves 2 police officers hurt
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030405109.html?hpid=topnews
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Gunman Shoots 2 Officers Outside Pentagon Metro Station
Two victims were Pentagon Police Officers
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/3-shot-outside-pentagon-metro-station-030410
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