Several injured after Pentagon officer killed near Metro bus platform

Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility’s Metro station Tuesday, Aug, 3 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility’s Metro station Tuesday, Aug, 3 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Multiple people were seen on the ground near a Metrobus being treated by first responders. (Courtesy Dave Statter/Statter911)
Multiple people were seen on the ground near a Metrobus being treated by first responders. (Courtesy Dave Statter/Statter911)
Pentagon police officers walk near the facility’s Metro station, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photos/Sagar Meghani)
Pentagon police officers walk near the facility’s Metro station, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photos/Sagar Meghani)
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Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility’s Metro station Tuesday, Aug, 3 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Multiple people were seen on the ground near a Metrobus being treated by first responders. (Courtesy Dave Statter/Statter911)
Pentagon police officers walk near the facility’s Metro station, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photos/Sagar Meghani)

A Pentagon police officer was attacked and killed on a Metro bus station platform, gunfire was exchanged and several people were injured in an outburst of violence near the Pentagon Tuesday morning, authorities said.


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The Pentagon police force has confirmed that a Pentagon police officer was killed during the attack.

“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. He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said in a statement.

In a brief Pentagon news conference earlier Tuesday afternoon, Woodrow Kusse, chief of the Pentagon police force, said the scene was secure and there was no continuing threat to the public. At the time, Kusse did not confirm any other details of the incident and the chaotic scene that unfolded shortly before 10:40 a.m., despite being pressed several times by reporters.

Shortly before the news conference, The Associated Press reported that an officer had died after being stabbed and that a suspect had been shot and killed by police.

“I’m not confirming or denying those particular reports right now. The investigation is ongoing,” Kusse said during the news conference, in response to a barrage of repeated questions from reporters about the incident.

Even though Kusse did not confirm one of his officers had died, condolences began appearing on social media. Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner tweeted, “I’m incredibly saddened to learn about the passing of a Pentagon police officer, who was killed earlier this morning in a senseless act of violence outside the Pentagon.”

After the Pentagon police force confirmed the officer’s death, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay offered his condolences in a tweet and said that county flags will fly at half-staff Wednesday. Fairfax County police has also been ordered to wear formal mourning bands on their badges to honor the slain officer.

The flags on the Pentagon Reserve will also fly at half-staff, Austin said.

The Pentagon news conference was notable for its lack of detail. Kusse also did not confirm a suspect had been killed or was in custody. He replied, “I can’t get into those details.”

In response to a follow-up question about a potential suspect being on the run, he said, “We are not looking for another suspect at this time.” He said a number of people fled the scene of the violence, which apparently led to “erroneous reports.”

Kusse would also not provide any details about how many people were wounded or the extent of their injuries.

The FBI is investigating the incident, said Kusse, who added that it was premature to discuss the motivation.

The incident Tuesday near the Pentagon Transit Center unfolded at 10:37 a.m. and led to a lockdown at the Pentagon that has since lifted, spurring a large police response.

In response to a question from WTOP’s J.J. Green, Kusse said he learned of the incident when a call came in on the police radio.

The lockdown lasted about an hour and a half. The nearby Pentagon Metro station entrance remains closed.

The Arlington County Fire and EMS Department said they encountered multiple patients at the scene, but did not provide further information on their condition, other than to say all the victims had been taken to the hospital.

Safety advocate Dave Statter, a former reporter who runs the Statter911 blog and Twitter account, said he heard up to a dozen gunshots at about 10:38 a.m.

From his high-rise in Arlington with a view of the Pentagon, he said he saw Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers “converging” on the Pentagon Transit Center.

Statter captured video showing what appeared to be two people on the ground near a Metrobus being treated by first responders.

An Associated Press reporter near the building heard multiple gunshots, the AP reported. Another AP journalist heard police yelling “shooter.”

Metro, transportation impact

The incident spurred a series of Metro delays Tuesday that rippled across the system for hours.

Service at the Pentagon Metro station was suspended Tuesday and Blue and Yellow line trains traveled through Pentagon station without stopping. Metro said Tuesday night that the Pentagon Station is expected to remain closed all day Wednesday, and Yellow and Blue line trains will bypass the station.

At the Pentagon, the Metro entrance to the building is closed. Both Corridors 2 and 3 entrances will be open for visitor and tenant access, and Corridors 5, 8, and River and Mall entrances will be open for tenant access, as normal, the Pentagon police force said in an update Tuesday afternoon.

The Pentagon Transit Center is closed until further notice. Public transit buses will operate at Pentagon City until further notice. OmniRide Express buses will operate a modified emergency service plan and will stop at Pentagon City at westbound Army Navy Drive and S. Fern Street.

The Army shuttle to Pentagon City will begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday and is dropping off and picking up from Corridor 3 and then from westbound 12th Street at S. Hayes Street in Pentagon City. It will run every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and every 15 minutes from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

The 7M bus has relocated to southbound S. Hayes Street at 12th Street and is running its regular schedule. Route 14 (Pentagon Rosslyn) and Suffolk Express are suspended Wednesday.

It is recommended that Metro riders use Pentagon City as an alternative. Metrobus service that normally runs to the Pentagon Transit Center is also being detoured to Pentagon City.

WTOP’s Acacia James, J.J Green, Megan Cloherty and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jack Moore

Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.

With the Pentagon Transit Center closed for the investigation, temporary signs along Hayes St at Pentagon City station, show where Metro, DASH and ART buses are arriving and departing the day after the violence. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
Pentagon City Metro stop
With the Pentagon Transit Center closed for continuing investigation, Metro’s Blue and Yellow line commuters are using the Pentagon City stop. Regional buses also arriving here. Yellow-vested WMATA personnel are offering directions and information. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
Emergency first responders work at the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a public transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown after it was reported that three individuals were shot. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Emergency first responders investigate the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a mass transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown after it was reported that three individuals were shot. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Virginia Sate Troopers patrol near the Pentagon after report of an active shooter and lockdown in Washington, DC, on August 3, 2021. – The Pentagon was on lockdown after a shooting at a subway station just outside the secure US military headquarters. Employees in the US Defense Department headquarters in the Arlington suburb of Washington were ordered to shelter in place amid reports of several gunshots and injuries in the station, the entrance of which is just a few dozen yards (meters) from the building’s main doors. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Virginia State Police are positioned along Route 95 South Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. Gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the Pentagon, resulting in multiple injuries. The facility, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was placed on lockdown. The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency tweeted. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
A police officer looks at vehicles outside the Pentagon, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 in Washington. Gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the Pentagon, resulting in multiple injuries. The facility, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was placed on lockdown. The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency tweeted. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
An officer inspects a patch of greenery outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Members of the Air Force walk away from the Pentagon, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Washington. Gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the Pentagon, resulting in multiple injuries. The facility, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown. The Arlington County Fire Department reported “multiple patients,” but it wasn’t immediately clear if they had been shot and the extent of their injuries were unknown. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
People walk away from the Pentagon, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Washington. Gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the Pentagon, resulting in multiple injuries. The facility, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown. The Arlington County Fire Department reported “multiple patients,” but it wasn’t immediately clear if they had been shot and the extent of their injuries were unknown. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Police are looking at a scene and items are seen on the ground near a Metrobus outside the Pentagon Metro area, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. A Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the building. That’s according to law enforcement officials. The Pentagon officer was stabbed and later died, according to officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A police officer looks at a vehicle outside the Pentagon, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 in Washington. Gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the Pentagon, resulting in multiple injuries. The facility, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was placed on lockdown. The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency tweeted. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency first responders investigate the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a mass transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
With the Washington Monument rising in the background, emergency first responders investigate the scene of a shooting with multiple victims outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
People leave the Pentagon on foot following a shooting with multiple victims at a mass transit station on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
Emergency first responders investigate the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a mass transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown after it was reported that three individuals were shot. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility’s Metro station Tuesday, Aug, 3 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility’s Metro station Tuesday, Aug, 3 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Pentagon police officers walk near the facility’s Metro station, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photos/Sagar Meghani)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency first responders work at the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a public transit station outside the Pentagon on August 3, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown after it was reported that people were shot. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Police vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Police vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency first responders work at the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a public transit station outside the Pentagon on Aug. 3, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown after the shooting. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
A Pentagon Police officer is seen outside the Pentagon, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A Pentagon Police officer is seen outside the Pentagon, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Rescue vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Rescue vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency first responders work at the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a public transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
Joe Biden
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency first responders work at the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a public transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency first responders work at the scene of a shooting with multiple victims at a public transit station outside the Pentagon on August 03, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, went into lockdown. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
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Pentagon City Metro stop
Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility’s Metro station Tuesday, Aug, 3 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Police vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A Pentagon Police officer is seen outside the Pentagon, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Rescue vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Joe Biden
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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