Live Updates: Confusion Over Gunmen, Multiple Fatalities at Navy Yard Shooting

Matt Berman, Patrick Reis, Brian Resnick and Marina Koren

Emergency personnel respond to a reported shooting at the Washington Navy Yard Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

This photo, which AP obtained from Don Andres and has been authenticated based on details in it, shows emergency personnel attending to a scene where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, (AP Photo/Don Andres)

Members of the military guard a military garage near the Navy Yard. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A U.S. Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Navy Yard. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)  

Police work the scene on M Street, SE near the Navy Yard. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Police bring in equipment by an anchor outside of an entrance to the Navy Yard. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A policeman work the scene on M Street S.E. in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

An active shooting is underway at Washington D.C.'s Navy Yard Monday morning. At least ten people have been shot, including at least two police officers, according to the MPD. One police officer is currently at Washington Hospital Center and in critical condition with multiple bullet wounds to his legs, a hospital spokeswoman said at an 11:30 AM press conference. A senior Navy official told NBC that at least a dozen people have been shot, with multiple people dead. As of about 10:40 AM, the scene was still being called active by D.C. police.

NBC 4 is reporting that a shooter is dead at the scene. The Associated Press confirms that a shooter at the yard has died, citing a federal law enforcement source.

At 11:10, NBC's Pete Williams reported that there could still be more going on:

The president is expected to make a statement by noon.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the Washington Post that three shooters are involved with the violence, one is down and two remain in the building. The Post later updated their report to say that police believe there were two shooters on the scene, not three. According to that report, one shooter is down and there is a search currently in process for the second.

The Navy has not confirmed the reports of multiple shooters. NBC is reporting that there are at least two shooters, with at least one currently down. D.C. police have refuted reports of multiple gunmen to CNN. "We don't have a number of suspects right now," Officer P.J. Newsham told CNN. Newsham said that searching the area would take some time.

A spokesperson for the Medstar Washington Hospital Center gave some indication of what type of weapon was used on the scene: "I would tell you from the reports of the victims, it was -- it had to be a semiautomatic because they are talking about gunshots that they heard in rapid succession."

There is a planned press conference at 11:10 AM with D.C. police and Mayor Vincent Gray. It's obviously been delayed, but when it happens you can watch it live here:

The Navy confirmed that an active shooter was inside the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building at 8:20 AM, and a shelter in place order was issued for personnel.

Much of Washington D.C. has been shut down as the search for the shooter goes on. Schools and businesses in the area are on lockdown. All flights were grounded this morning at Ronald Reagan National Airport, but that order has since been lifted.

The Navy is reporting fatalities on the scene:

A gunman was shooting from the fourth floor into the building's cafeteria on the first floor, a witness told the Associated Press.

The White House says that President Obama has been briefed "several times" this morning about the situation. The full statement from the White House:

The President has been briefed several times about the unfolding situation at the Washington Navy Yard by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco and Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco. The President directed his team to stay in touch with our federal partners, including the Navy and FBI, as well as the local officials. We urge citizens to listen to the authorities and follow directions from the first responders on site.

We'll continue to update this post as more comes in.

Here's what you need to know about the Yard itself:

  • The Naval Sea Systems Command is the largest of the Navy's commands, with a fiscal year budget of almost $30 billion. About 3,000 people work in the headquarters.

  • The Navy Yard, which is a national historic landmark, was for decades known as a "ceremonial gateway" to D.C. 

  • Purchased in 1798, the Washington Navy Yard was established in October 1799 and built under the direction of the first secretary of the Navy.

  • The yard has a firm place in U.S. history: In 1865, the Lincoln assassination conspirators were brought there after they were captured; including the body of John Wilkes Booth.

  • The Navy Yard was ordered burned as the British marched on Washington during the War of 1812 to prevent its capture.

  • Weapons designed and built at the yard were used in every U.S. war until the 1960s.

 

An arial shot of the yard from 1991:

 

A torpedo shop at the yard during World War One:

 

(Library of Congress)

 

 

And a shot from between 1861-1865:

The Washington Navy Yard photographed between 1861 and 1865. (Library of Congress)

 

A map of the area:


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