(Updated at 2:15 p.m. on 8/4/21) A police officer was attacked and killed Tuesday morning at the Pentagon bus platform, outside the Metro station, prompting a massive emergency response from Arlington and other local jurisdictions.
At least three people were initially reported to be hurt, two seriously, as shots rang out around 10:30 a.m. The incident was initially described as an active shooting, though the attack was later reported to have involved a knife in addition to gunfire.
One “person of interest” was sought by police in the wake of the deadly attack, leading to an extensive search, though reports of a suspect being on the run now appear to be based on erroneous witness reports.
Dave Statter, a nearby resident and public safety watchdog, said he heard “at least a dozen shots” and saw CPR being performed on two people who were lying on the ground. Video taken by Statter shortly after the shooting shows police covering a person lying in the street, near a Metrobus, with a white sheet. Officers with guns drawn surrounded another person.
Just before noon on Tuesday, Pentagon police said “the scene of the incident is secure” but “still an active crime scene.” Metro trains were halted while police continued to search the area, including the Metro tunnels.
The Pentagon remained “on lockdown” until just after noon, when the lockdown was lifted. The Metro station and bus platform remained closed as of Wednesday.
Police and firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and other jurisdictions, as well as the FBI, responded to the scene. The Fairfax County police helicopter was called in to assist with the search. Numerous news crews gathered in Pentagon City as the situation unfolded.
Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) tweeted that he is “closely following the situation.”
“As we await more details from authorities, I am thankful for the efforts of law enforcement to keep everyone safe,” Rep. Beyer said.
A large number of police officers gathered outside of GW Hospital Tuesday afternoon, where the seriously injured officer was rushed after the shooting. He later was pronounced dead, according to the Associated Press, which reported that the officer was stabbed and that the suspect was shot by police and died on scene.
During an afternoon press conference at the Pentagon, authorities declined to confirm or deny whether an officer was killed, how many people were injured, whether the suspect was shot, whether a suspect is in custody, and whether there is a second suspect, as some initial reports suggested.
Police would only say that “several” people were injured after an officer was “attacked” on the Metrobus platform. The scene at the Pentagon is now “secure and secure” and the incident “is over,” police said. The FBI leading what was described as an “active, ongoing investigation” that “continues to evolve.”
“We are not actively seeking another suspect at this time,” Pentagon Force Protection Agency Chief Woodrow Kusse said.
Authorities declined to provide other information in response to reporter questions, pledging to provide more details at a later time.
On Tuesday night the Associated Press, citing law enforcement sources, identified the shooter as 27-year-old Austin William Lanz, a Georgia resident who unsuccessfully tried to join the Marine Corps in 2012.
On Wednesday morning Pentagon police identified the fallen officer as George Gonzalez, a Brooklyn native, military veteran and a member of the agency since 2018.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, he was a die-hard Yankees fan. He was a graduate of New York City’s Canarsie High School. George Gonzalez joined the @PFPAOfficial as a police officer on July 22, 2018.
2/5— Pentagon Force Protection Agency (Official) (@PFPAOfficial) August 4, 2021
The FBI’s Washington Field Office released further details Wednesday afternoon, revealing that the officer was stabbed and then shot by Lanz, who took Gonzalez’s gun during the sudden, unprovoked attack. Lanz subsequently shot himself and may have also been shot by police, the FBI said, adding that a bystander was injured during the chaos but is expected to be okay.
A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officer’s service weapon. Other PFPA officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene.
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) August 4, 2021
The deceased subject has been identified as Austin William Lanz, 27, most recently of Acworth, GA. The #FBI continues to investigate the incident.
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) August 4, 2021
In 2010, a lone gunman wearing a business suit opened fire at the Pentagon Metro station, wounding two officers before he was shot and killed by police.
More via social media:
Full honours and escort at GWU hospital for the victim of the #pentagon shooting. pic.twitter.com/lnHj76vUCJ
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) August 3, 2021
Motorcade leaving GW with coroner vehicle. With full honors. Tragic news.
— Van Applegate (@vbagate) August 3, 2021
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. My heart goes out to the officer’s family and friends, as well as the entire Pentagon Police force.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) August 3, 2021
The scene of the incident is secure. It is still an active crime scene. We request that everyone stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area. Transportation at the Pentagon is diverted to Pentagon City.
— Pentagon Force Protection Agency (Official) (@PFPAOfficial) August 3, 2021
BREAKING: Sounds like multiple shots fired at Pentagon Transit Center. Body on the ground near Metrobus. Video to follow. @ARLnowDOTcom @WTOP
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 3, 2021
This is my initial video right after I heard the shots. Pentagon police responding to the transit center. Time was 10:39am ET. #pentagonshooting #pentagon @wtop @hhowardWTOP pic.twitter.com/MOpt7CvA56
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 3, 2021
CPR being done on two people at Pentagon transit center. Heard multiple shots fired. #pentagonshooting #police @WTOP @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/TmJsLxIloI
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 3, 2021
.@ArlingtonVaFD on the scene. CPR on two people. Have heard there is a third person. #pentagon shooting pic.twitter.com/NjwwK2qLaQ
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 3, 2021
Units responding to a reported active violence incident in the area of the pentagon metro. pic.twitter.com/uxVgRmnUpT
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) August 3, 2021
NOW: commuters are were rushed inside to shelter following alleged gunshots at the Pentagon @wmata stop, my colleague @MikeBrestDC reports
— Christian Datoc (@TocRadio) August 3, 2021
UPDATED: Blue/Yellow Line Alert: Trains are temporarily bypassing Pentagon due to a police investigation outside the station at Pentagon. Shuttle buses requested.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) August 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/Metrorailinfo/status/1422597697224196097
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