‘Active Shooter’ at Joint Base Andrews in US Was a False Alarm

Officials confirmed it was a false alarm that came up during a security operation at the facility.

Reports of a lockdown at the Joint Base Andrews in US on Thursday was a false alarm that came during a security exercise, officials confirmed.

Military officials had issued the lockdown order after a report of an ‘active shooter’ situation at Malcolm Grow Medical Facility on the base.

"All Clear." The lock down on base has been lifted

— Joint Base Andrews (@JBA_NAFW) June 30, 2016

The report caused almost an hour of uncertainty on the base and within the government.

Secretary Jeh Johnson, who was testifying before Congress told lawmakers there was “an unfolding situation at Andrews Air Base which may require that I take a break from this session’’.

JBA is currently on lockdown due to a report of an active shooter. All personnel are directed to shelter in place. More info as it comes.

— Joint Base Andrews (@JBA_NAFW) June 30, 2016

The incident is ongoing at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility. First responders are on-scene now. All personnel continue to shelter in place

— Joint Base Andrews (@JBA_NAFW) June 30, 2016

Joint Base Andrews is a United States military facility located in Prince George’s County, Maryland and serves as the home of Air Force One, the US President’s official aircraft.

A security drill leading to confusion is not new to Washington. On the anniversary of the 11 September terror attacks in 2009, a Coast Guard exercise on the Potomac River led to confusion and sent first responders racing to the scene.