UPDATE: FOX News reports lockdowns at local high schools in the area have been removed. It appears there is no threat in the area. Developing story…
An unexpected, urgent message was recently posted on the Naval Medical Center San Diego Facebook page:
**!ATTENTION!** An active shooter has just been been reported in building #26 at Naval Medical Center San Diego. All…
Posted by Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) on Tuesday, 26 January 2016
8:07 a.m. – A lockdown was issued at Naval Medical San Diego Tuesday morning after reports of an active shooter were made, according to the hospital’s Facebook page.
The post, which was made at 8:07 a.m. on Naval Medical San Diego’s verified page, said an active shooter was reported in building #26. All occupants were advised to run, hide or fight and all non-emergency response personnel were asked to stay away from the compound.
Witnesses said they heard three shots fired just after 8 a.m. possibly coming from the basement of the building. Building 26, houses the Security Pass and Decal office and is mostly used as barracks.
Naval medical center is located at 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134 and serves a large amount of military personel, retirees and family members every day.
Chicago Tribune – Spokesman Mike Alvarez said, however, that “I cannot confirm an active shooter.”
The sounds were heard around 8 a.m. in Building 26, which houses offices and barracks for wounded sailors and Marines as well as a gym, said spokesman Mike Alvarez.
All non-emergency personnel were asked to stay away from the area.
He said at least three gunshots were reported heard.
“We’re not taking any chances and are executing procedures we’ve been trained for in this kind of situation,” Alvarez said.
San Diego police Officer Travis Easter said police received a notification call from military police at 8:03 a.m. of shots fired but assistance was not requested.
Traffic backed up around the facility during the morning rush hour.
The San Diego Fire Department confirmed that military police on the base are investigating an active shooter report, said Joseph Amandor, a department spokesman.
Firefighters have not been called to the scene and there was no other information available, Amandor said.
The 272-bed, multispecialty hospital and ambulatory complex is located on about 78 acres in the southeast corner of Balboa Park, about 2.5 miles from downtown, according to its website. Center staff is comprised of more than 6,500 military, civilian, contractor and volunteer personnel.
