BREAKING NEWS – More Details Revealed About Shooting
The press conference outside the Pentagon Metro station has revealed new details about tonight’s shooting. Pentagon police chief Richard Keevill said that a lone shooter approached officers manning a checkpoint near an entrance to the station, calmly drew a hand gun, and opened fire.
He “did not say a word,” Keevill said.
Police officers returned fire. Two were hit and suffered wounds that are not thought to be life-threatening.
Witnesses who talked to ARLnow.com said they heard at least a half dozen shots and then saw people ducking and running from the scene.
Minutes after the shooting Pentagon police officers, with guns drawn, frantically moved to cordon off entrances to the Pentagon reservation.
In a chaotic scene, officers ordered pedestrians and vehicles heading towards the Pentagon reservation to turn around while buses, cars and Pentagon employees streamed out onto Army Navy Drive. Meanwhile, Arlington police officers converged on the Pentagon en masse to assist Pentagon police.
The Washington Post and NBC4 have more on the shooting.
BREAKING NEWS – DoD Statement on Shooting
The Pentagon is currently holding a press briefing on tonight’s shooting. Here’s a statement issued by the DoD:
“A shooting incident has occurred at the Pentagon Metro Entrance this evening at approximately 6:40 p.m. EST. Two Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) officers were injured when an unknown suspect fired at them. The suspect was injured in return fire from the PFPA officers. Injuries to the two PFPA officers do not appear to be life threatening. A suspect is in custody and his condition is unknown [update: 'very critical']. All three injured have been taken to a local hospital. All Pentagon entrances were secured for a brief time but have since been reopened with the exception of the Pentagon Metro entrance. The incident is under investigation. More details will be released when available.”
BREAKING NEWS – Press Conference to Be Held at 8:45
Pentagon Police will be holding a press briefing at 8:45. Local and network TV news crews have staged in the Pentagon’s south lot, near the Metro station.
BREAKING NEWS – Three Shot At Pentagon Metro
Three people have been shot at the Pentagon Metro station, according to police. Witnesses say they heard at least a half dozen shots fired, then saw people ducking and running from outside the crowded Metro station. News agencies are reporting that two of the victims are police officers. The third victim is believed to be the shooter. The victims are being taken to George Washington University hospital.
Police have blocked off all entrances to the Pentagon reservation. Metro buses that were at the Pentagon at the time have been evacuated.
Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy in Ballston
Arlington Police responded to the Ballston Comfort Inn on N. Glebe Road this afternoon for a report of a pimp and his prostitute in one of the hotel rooms. After officers arrived on scene, the suspected pimp apparently jumped out of a second story window in an attempt to get away.
Paramedics treated the suspect and brought him to a local hospital with an apparent broken leg. It’s unclear whether the alleged prostitute will face any charges.
When we arrived a group of police officers and hotel employees were standing near a small pool of blood on the sidewalk, gazing up at an open window about 15-20 feet above street level.
Officers and employees declined to discuss the incident. We’re still waiting on official comment from Arlington PD.
The ARLnow.com St. Patrick’s Day Guide
St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year. While the midweek date may put a damper on the daytime festivities (or may put a dent in workplace productivity, depending on your level of commitment), it also gives bar owners a chance to ramp up the revelry the weekend before.
After the jump, we’ve compiled a list of the best (mostly over-21) St. Patrick’s Day fun Arlington has to offer, from Thursday the week before to the wee hours of March 17. Enjoy — and please leave the car at home if you choose to imbibe.
Arlington Crime Report
The Arlington Police Department has released its crime report for the past week. The report includes new details about last weekend’s abduction and sexual assault, which we reported yesterday.
ARMED ROBBERY/ABDUCTION 02/27/10, 600 block of N. Wakefield Street. On February 27 at 4 am, a man approached two women from behind. He displayed a handgun and forced them into a house. He restrained both women inside, and then forced one to leave the area with him. The victim was found suffering from serious injuries in Prince William County. A suspect was later arrested on separate Abduction charges.
ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO DEFILE 02/27/10, 4500 block of N. 4th St. On February 27 at 3 am, a man approached a woman walking into her house, and forced her inside. He then used a “stun gun” device to stun her on the neck. When she yelled, her roommate woke up and the suspect fled. This case is believed to be connected to the above suspect.
Moran Pushes for Northrop Grumman HQ in Rosslyn
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) is pushing for Northrop Grumman to relocate to Rosslyn. He told the Arlington County Board that he personally called Wes Bush, president and CEO of Northrop Grumman, to make the case for the huge defense contractor moving its corporate headquarters to Rosslyn.
“[I] let him know that while there can’t be any quid pro quo, of course, I would like to see Northrop Grumman locate in Rosslyn, and if not in Rosslyn at least in the eighth district,” Moran said during a work session with the board on Monday.
“I think Rosslyn has advantages that other places don’t,” like close proximity to defense and intelligence facilities as well as easy Metro access, Moran said.
“We agreed upon the boundaries of the eighth district,” Moran added, haltingly, although it’s not clear whether he was referring to any specific commitment made by Bush. The eighth congressional district includes Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and parts of Fairfax County.
Northrop announced in January that it would move to Washington by 2011 to be closer to its biggest customer, the U.S. government.
Arlington is competing with the District, Montgomery County, and other local jurisdictions for the company’s headquarters. The competition has included insults thrown at Arlington from a D.C. Council member.
During Monday’s session Terry Holzheimer, the director of Arlington Economic Development and the county’s lead for the Northrop headquarters bid, told Moran that he believes a decision will be made by Northrop in the near future.
Holzheimer said he believes efforts by the state, including efforts by Gov. Bob McDonnell, make it likely that Northrop will locate in some Northern Virginia locality.
“I believe Virginia has a strong position,” Holzheimer said, adding that he’s been in weekly negotiations with Northrop.
Curiously, the county apparently did not try to coordinate its efforts with Rep. Moran, who sits on the powerful House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Northrop Grumman has been one of Moran’s top campaign contributors.
“I haven’t been involved,” Moran told the board, with a measured degree of exasperation. ”Just a suggestion, particularly when you’re dealing with a large defense contractor, you might think about coordinating with our office at some point.”
