Mass Murder Update: 2:12 p.m.; 12 Dead, 3 Wounded at D.C. Navy Yard, Inside and Outside; 1 Shooter Dead, but 2 Still Believed at Large—1 White, 1 Black (Huh?)

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

Thanks to reader-researcher RC for the heads-up.
 
D.C.
Washington Navy Yard shooting: Active shooter sought in Southeast D.C.
September 16, 2013 - 08:31 a.m.
Updated: September 16, 2013 - 02:12 p.m.
WJLA
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WASHINGTON (WJLA) - At least 12 people were killed Monday morning when a person or persons opened fire inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray says.

Washington Navy Yard shooting
Outside the Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard shooting photos
21 Photos
Washington Navy Yard shooting photos

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said one gunman in the Navy Yard shooting is dead. But she said there are potentially two additional shooters on the loose.

She said one of the potential additional shooters is described as a white male in a khaki tan military uniform who was armed with a handgun. He was last seen at about 8:30 a.m.

A second potential shooter is described as a black male in his 50s, also armed and wearing a military-style uniform.

Lanier said one MPD officer was shot and wounded by the shooter.

“We had a horrific tragedy,” said Gray. "This is an isolated incident and an active investigation."

The shooting began at about 8:20 a.m. at the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command on Isaac Hull Avenue on the grounds of the historic Navy Yard.

At least three of those wounded were taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, including the D.C. police officer. All of those victims are expected to survive.

Officials at George Washington University Hospital say, though, that one of the victims taken to their facility died after a gunshot wound to the temple.

The shooting incident has caused several commuter issues, including the closure of the 11th Street Bridge.

A number of District of Columbia schools, both public and private, remain on lockdown as the investigation into the shooting continues.

The following D.C. schools are on lockdown: Amidon-Bowen Elementary, Brent Elementary School, Eastern High School, Eliot-Hine Middle School, Jefferson Academy, Tyler Elementary School and Van Ness Administrative Building.

Family members of Washington Navy Yard employees who want information on the shooting can call 202-433-6151.

Witnesses recount shooting

Rick Mason, a program management analyst who is a civilian with the U.S. Navy, said a gunman was shooting from a fourth floor overlook in the hallway outside his office. He said the gunman was aiming down at people in the building's cafeteria on the first floor. Mason said he could hear the shots but could not see a gunman.

Shortly after the gunfire, Mason said overhead speakers told workers to seek shelter and later to head for the gates at the complex.

Patricia Ward, a logistics management specialist, said she was in the cafeteria and heard shots. They sounded like "pop, pop, pop," she said. After a few seconds, there were more shots, she said.

"Everybody just panicked at first," she said. "It was just people running, running, running."

Ward said security officers started directing people out of the building with guns drawn.

Cmdr. Tim Jirus was standing next to a colleague having a conversation when his colleague was shot.

"I saw him drop in front of me (and) I left at that point," Jirus said. "I ran behind the building and jumped behind a fence."

Commander Jirus said he didn't see the shooter and only heard shots.

"I feel very lucky to be standing here as opposed to somewhere else," he said.

President Obama calls victims "courageous Americans"

President Barack Obama is mourning what he called "yet another mass shooting" in the United States that he says took the life of American patriots.

Obama promised to make sure, quote, "whoever carried out this cowardly act is held responsible."

He said several people were shot Monday morning at the Washington Navy Yard about 3 1/2 miles from the White House, and some were killed.

He said the victims were "courageous Americans" who knew about the risks of serving overseas, but wouldn't have expected such "unimaginable violence" at home.

Naval Sea Systems Command is the largest of the Navy's five system commands and accounts for a quarter of the Navy's entire budget.

It builds, buys and maintains the Navy's ships and submarines and their combat systems.

Officials say 3,000 people work in the building, where authorities are still looking for the shooter.

This is a developing story. More to come. The Associated Press contributed to this report.