An officer was killed after being attacked on Tuesday morning at a transit station just outside the Pentagon, federal officials say.
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency, tasked with securing the building, said in a tweet it was mourning “the tragic loss of a Pentagon Police Officer killed during this morning’s incident at the Pentagon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family.” The agency did not release the officer’s name but said more information would be released after family was notified.Â
The suspect, who officials say attacked and stabbed the officer, died after being shot by law enforcement at the transit station, according to officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown after the incident occurred near the entrance of the building.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extended his sympathies to the officer’s loved ones and ordered flags at the Pentagon to be flown at half-mast to honor the officer.Â
“This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in — and who visit — the Pentagon on a daily basis,” Austin said in a statement. “He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave. This tragic death today is a stark reminder of the dangers they face and the sacrifices they make. We are forever grateful for that service and the courage with which it is rendered.”
Pentagon Force Protection Agency chief Woodrow Kusse saidat a press briefing Tuesday afternoonthat the officer “was attacked on the Metro Bus platform” and “gunfire was exchanged.”
Kusse refused to outline what led up to the incident or discuss reports about the two deaths at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon. He cited the “active ongoing investigation” and said information was still being obtained about how the incident unfolded and how many people were involved.Â
He said there were “several casualties,” a term that can mean injured or deaths.Â
Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which is responsible for security at the building, put the building on lockdown around 10:30 a.m. after the violence at the Pentagon Transit Center, which is just steps away from the Pentagon building.
Throughout the afternoon, condolences poured in for the officer, including from D.C. police and officials including Sen. Mark Warner — the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Fairfax County Police Department Chief Kevin Davis ordered his officers to wear formal mourning bands, a black band that stretches over an officer’s badge, in honor of the fallen officer. Fairfax County, Va. is the neighboring country to Arlington County, Va. where the Pentagon is located.Â
Kusse said the incident would likely spur a security review at the Pentagon.Â
“There are a number of measures that we have in place out there. Every time an incident occurs, whether it’s here or anywhere else across the nation or in the world, we do after-action (reports on those, we examine them, we look for things that we can do to improve,” Kusse said.Â
Kusse said it was too soon to know whether the suspect was attempting to breach the building or whether it was terrorism related.
Authorities and Pentagon officials did not immediately provide details on the sequence of events.
The FBI, which is leading the investigation into the incident, similarly did not offer any details on the number of injured or how the incident unfolded when asked by USA TODAY.Â
“At this time, it would be premature to speculate on motive, and in order to protect the integrity of the investigation we cannot provide additional details at this time,” the bureau said in a statement provided to USA TODAY by spokeswoman Samantha Shero. “There is no ongoing threat to the public.”
An Associated Press reporter near the building heard several gunshots, then a pause, then at least one additional shot. Another AP journalist heard police yell “shooter.â€
The PFPA said on Twitter the scene of the incident in Arlington, Virginia, was secure but is still “an active crime scene,” and people should “stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area.” Transportation at the Pentagon was being diverted to the Pentagon City subway station, the agency said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden when the incident occurred.
When Austin returned to the Pentagon, he stopped at the Pentagon police operation center and met with officers to “express his gratitude for everything they’re doing on this,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said. Kirby added Austin was informed about the violence and received updates throughout the morning.Â
It was the first deadly incident at the Pentagon’s transit hub in more than 10 years.Â
In 2010, two officers with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency were wounded when a gunman approached them at a security screening area. The officers, who survived, returned fire and killed gunman John Patrick Bedell.
Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook; The Associated Press
