BETHESDA, Maryland (FOX NEWS) – Reports of an active shooter at Walter Reed military hospital in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday were confirmed to be a drill, officials said.
Army Lt. Col. Audricia Harris, a Pentagon spokesperson, told Fox News there is no active shooter at the medical center.
“We are all clear. Secure from the Code White,” hospital personnel tweeted after it was confirmed there was no active shooting incident.
Earlier Tuesday, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., tweeted that he was “safe in a conference room w/ approx 40 others” at the hospital, “where we’ve been told there is an active shooter.”
I am currently at Walter Reed Medical in Bethesda where we’ve been told there is an active shooter. I am currently safe in a conference room w/ approx 40 others.
— Dutch Ruppersberger (@Call_Me_Dutch) November 27, 2018
The congressman, whose Twitter account indicated at one point that he “does not believe this to be a drill,” tweeted after the all clear that “at no point was there any indication that this was a drill.
We’ve been given the all clear at Walter Reed – at no point was there any indication that this was a drill.
— Dutch Ruppersberger (@Call_Me_Dutch) November 27, 2018
The medical center confirmed the building was on lockdown and that an alert was sent out about an active shooter. Naval Support Activity of Bethesda tweeted that security “has cleared the basement of Bldg. 19,” which officials previously said was the location of a lockdown at the hospital.
“No indication so far of an active shooter,” NSA Bethesda wrote.
Inside Walter Reed right now after the active shooter announcement. Was looking on Twitter for news and it’s filled with people questioning the safety of their loved ones. Building 19 in lockdown. Haven’t heard any shots. Multiple agencies responding. Hopefully false alarm. pic.twitter.com/xNDKyEuN56
— Lindsey Migliore, DO (@DrMigliore) November 27, 2018
Montgomery County police tweeted that they were called to Walter Reed at 2:23 p.m. “to assist with the report of a possible active shooter.” The U.S. Navy also tweeted that officials are aware of the reports, and they have not confirmed an active shooter at the medical center.
Tuesday’s incident follows a string of repeated false alarm claims of active shooters at numerous U.S. military bases across the country.
