Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda is currently under lockdown after receiving a bomb threat and a report of an active shooter threat on the base.
NSA Bethesda, a navy base that is home to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, sent out an initial statement at approximately 9:05 a.m. on October 20th, which read: “SHELTER IN PLACE: Bomb threat to BLDG 10 and active shooter threat being investigated. All Gates are closed to non-emergency traffic.”
The only information that has been provided to the public has been in the form of periodic updates on social media throughout the morning.
In an announcement released at 9:25 a.m., the base reported: “At approximately 8:45 a.m., the installation received a phone call from an anonymous source stating there is a bomb at or near Building 10. Security personnel have responded to the scene. The base is on lockdown. All personnel should shelter in place. All gates are closed to non-emergency traffic. The public is asked to avoid the area.”
In another statement, NSA Bethesda announced that authorities had found no evidence of an active shooter on the base.
“1000, 20OCT21: UPDATE: At this time, there is no indication of an active shooter on the installation. A bomb threat is still under investigation. A lockdown remains in place,” the base tweeted.
“1000: 20OCT21: NOTE: The official ‘All Clear’ – when appropriate – will be reported by NSA Bethesda on our social media and other official channels,” they wrote in a subsequent tweet.
2/2 – 1000: 20OCT21: NOTE: The official “All Clear” – when appropriate – will be reported by NSA Bethesda on our social media and other official channels.
— Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021
At 10:50 a.m. NSA Bethesda revealed that it had brought in K-9 teams to search and clear the buildings.
“1050, 20OCT21: K-9 teams are in the process of clearing buildings at Walter Reed Bethesda. The lockdown at NSA Bethesda remains in place,” the tweet read.
1050, 20OCT21: K-9 teams are in the process of clearing buildings at Walter Reed Bethesda. The lockdown at NSA Bethesda remains in place.
— Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021
At the time of this article’s publishing, the most recent update states that the K-9 teams are still currently searching buildings, and have expanded their search in order to ensure the safety of the base. The lockdown is still in place, though they have found no bomb or active shooter yet.
“1200, 20OCT21: The initial K-9 search of buildings at Walter Reed Bethesda has been expanded to additional hospital buildings. The lockdown at NSA Bethesda remains in place,” the base wrote.
1200, 20OCT21: The initial K-9 search of buildings at Walter Reed Bethesda has been expanded to additional hospital buildings. The lockdown at NSA Bethesda remains in place.
— Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021