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‘Up to 12 Dead’ in Shooting at Washington Navy Yard; 1 Shooter Dead, 2 Possible Suspects Loose

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Emergency vehicles and law enforcement personnel respond to a shooting at an entrance to the Washington Navy Yard this morning. (Getty)

Emergency vehicles and law enforcement personnel respond to a shooting at an entrance to the Washington Navy Yard this morning. (/Getty)

At least 12 people are dead after a horrific shooting spree this morning at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

Initial reports described a “lone gunman” in an active-shooter scenario, but the latest update from authorities describes one dead shooter and two potential additional shooters on the loose.

“We have one shooter deceased,” said D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier at a live press conference held just after noon Eastern time, and “potentially two other shooters” on the loose.

The two at-large suspects are described as a white male in his 40s-50s, in a khaki Navy-style uniform, wearing a beret and carrying a handgun; and a black male in his 50s in a military-style olive-colored uniform, with gray sideburns, carrying a long gun.

Hospitals treating the victims have reportedly discovered at least two types of bullets — which indicates multiple weapons were used. This does not verify multiple gunmen, as one shooter could be armed with multiple weapons.

In retracted statements, a man was named as the deceased gunman by CBS’ Charlie Kaye on Twitter. Those tweets were quickly discredited, and the reporting was based on a military ID found at the scene.

Here’s what you should know about this shocking tragedy and the hunt for those responsible:

1. Shots Were Fired Around 8:20 a.m. at Building 197, Which Houses the Headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

According to reports, a shooter was wielding an AR-15 rifle. It was unclear if the shooter(s) had clearance to enter the base — which requires identification — or if he (they) entered by force.

2. There Were Dramatic Helicopter Rescues

At 9:47 a.m. local time, a helicopter hovered over the building, lowered what may have been rescue basket and apparently evacuated someone from the building:

washington navy yard shooting

At 10:13, the helicopter again made an apparent rescue, removing a person at 10:14:

washington navy yard shooting

The base is about 2 miles from the U.S. Capitol complex.

3. At Least One Police Officer May Be Among the Dead and Wounded

The victims include at least one “officer down.”

4. A ‘Shelter in Place Order’ Was Issued

The yard is on lockdown. Flights were grounded at Reagan Airport. All D.C. schools were on lockdown.

There was a massive police and emergency response, and the scene was chaotic, to say the least — cops speeding to reach the scene, people running in various directions, helicopters circling.

5. Some 3,000 People Work at the Yard, Which is a Command Center for the U.S. Navy

The base has previously been targeted in an attack. More on the base and its history here:

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