'All clear' given after lockdown at Joint Base Andrews

Base officials say security forces misidentified as active shooter

After a lockdown at U.S. Joint Base Andrews because of reports of an active shooter, base officials said no active shooter was found.

Someone mistook security forces conducting a routine inspection of the medical facility for an active shooter, JBA announced on its Twitter account.

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The base was scheduled to conduct a no-notice active shooter exercise in the late morning on the opposite side of the base, officials said. But reports of a real-world active shooter situation at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility were "miscommunicated" before the drill began.

All personnel at the base, which is in Camp Springs, Maryland, about 15 miles from the White House, were directed to shelter in place until the "all clear" was given about 10:45 a.m.

"Fortunately, this was not a life-threatening situation," said Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews commander. "We take all threats seriously and reacted to ensure the security of  those on the base."

First responders were called to the scene to secure the location.

"I applaud the quick reaction of our first responders in keeping the safety of our JBA family a No. 1 priority," Hoagland said. "In addition, we thank our local authorities for quickly standing by and offering their assistance.”