(Getty)
A security guard at the U.S. Census Bureau was shot dead on the night of April 9. The suspect, named as Ronald Anderson, is then alleged to have kidnapped his girlfriend from the Suitland Federal complex. This lead to a lockdown at the complex while cops searched for him. Hours later, the suspect was pursued through the streets of D.C. until he was finally shot and apprehended. The shooting occurred on Anderson’s 48th birthday.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Security Guard Who Was Killed Was Called a ‘Wonderful Man’
The scene outside the bureau the morning after the shooting. (Getty)
In a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, deputy head Alejandro Mayorkas said “our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Lawrence Buckner.” The release adds that he was an employee of Master Security and had been contracted in to work for the Federal Protective Service. The statement also thanks federal agents and the local police who “saved many innocent bystanders.” WUSA reporter Nikki Burdine tweeted that a colleague of Buckner’s said that he “was a wonderful guy.” Buckner died after being shot in the chest. The Washington Post reports that another guard tried to save Buckner’s life by administering CPR.
2. Despite Reports, He Was Never Barricaded in the Census Bureau
Heavily armed & armored tactical teams now moving in to Suitland complex http://t.co/rTvSQ8wMqc
NBC Washington’s Shomari Stone first reported that “sources” told him that the Census incident was connected to a shooting that occurred in D.C. over an hour after authorities arrived at the federal complex in Suitland, Maryland.
Quite a scene on H St. Injured officers will be ok. Suspect involved in multiple shootings during chase; in custody. http://t.co/G4Wy9R3bhC
In that incident, My Fox D.C. reports that an “armed kidnapping suspect” was shot by metro police on the 1100 block of H Street. Police say Anderson got out of his car and fired at them on the street.
Shown here:
The station reports that the shooting in that location began as a chase through Washington’s streets. Shots were fired during the pursuit. The suspect is still alive after being shot multiple times by police. WUSA reports that the incident began as a kidnapping in D.C., from there, the suspect led police on a chase to the Census Bureau building before eventually leading cops back into the nation’s capital. The person Anderson kidnapped was his girlfriend. She was no longer in the car by the time Anderson had his alleged shootout with police. After being wounded, Anderson was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery, he’s in stable condition.
Anderson is a native of southeast D.C., reports WTOP.
SWAT Teams were deployed into the federal complex during what authorities believed was a standoff. Just before 8 p.m. local time, WUSA reporter Garrett Haake tweeted that he heard “three loud bangs in succession from inside the Suitland complex.” Those bangs were followed by “above 20 bangs,” according to Haake. The reporter added that the bangs seemed to be coming from different places within the complex.
3. He Has No Links to Terrorism
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FBI spokeswoman Amy Thoreson confirmed just after the shooting that there was no links to terrorism. The motive for the attack and kidnapped hasn’t been released by investigators. Anderson was first named by the Prince George’s County state’s attorney.
4. The Complex Is Home to Naval Intelligence
The building is the headquarters of the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the center’s website, visitors are required to enter the complex through the Gate 5 entrance at Swann Road on the right of the map. Located in the complex are the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institute, the General Services Administration and the National Maritime Intelligence Center.
5. Over 7,000 People Are Employed in the Complex
The Suitland Federal Center in Suitland, Maryland. (US Census Bureau)
According to Suitland’s website, there are over 7,000 people employed at the complex. The site covers 226 acres.