The Pentagon, seen in a file photo. (DoD)
Updated at 9:37 PM est. This will be the final update for this story.
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon was placed on lockdown for more than an hour Tuesday morning, following a burst of violence that resulted in the deaths of both a suspect and a responding police officer.
Woodrow Kusse, the chief of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which handles security for the Pentagon reservation, told reporters at a 2:30 PM press conference that the incident scene was now secure and that “several” people were injured during an exchange of gunfire, which occurred at 10:37 AM this morning at a public transit portal outside the Pentagon.
However, Kusse declined to go into more details about the attack, repeatedly citing the ongoing investigation. That included not directly acknowledging multiple reports that both a PFPA officer and the attacker were killed, despite multiple questions from reporters. The police chief did say he was not “confirming or denying” anything about those reports, and declined an opportunity to knock them down.
He did, however, push back at reports from local media that a wounded suspect was on the run somewhere in DC, saying law enforcement is “not actively looking for another suspect at this time.” The FBI has taken over the investigation, Kusse noted, adding that he was confident the Pentagon reservation is now safe.
Later in the day, the department did acknowledge the death of a PFPA officer, who was reportedly stabbed in the neck by the suspect, who has been identified as Austin William Lanz, a Georgia native.
PFPA began keeping people from entering or exiting the building around 11 AM eastern time. Around 11:55 AM eastern, PFPA tweeted that “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.”
Per Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House when the incident occurred. He has since returned to the building.
Hours after the attack, Austin released a statement of condolence for the fallen officer, and ordered flags to fly at half-mast at the Pentagon.
“This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in — and who visit — the Pentagon on a daily basis,” Austin said. “He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave. This tragic death today is a stark reminder of the dangers they face and the sacrifices they make. We are forever grateful for that service and the courage with which it is rendered.”
The Pentagon is among the most secure buildings in the world, but it also has attached to it two transportation hubs — an open-air bus shelter and an underground Metro station. Both service Pentagon workers, but are parts of the Washington area’s public transportation network and are open to the public.
Asked whether this incident could lead to greater restrictions and security around the bus and Metro terminals, Kusse noted the Pentagon serves as a major “hub” and represents one of “the busiest” stations in the DC area, but did not rule any changes out.
“We will certainly, as this investigation concludes, take another look at any measures” needed to secure the stations, Kusse said. “We would give that due consideration. I wouldn’t say right now if [security is] adequate or insufficient.”
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