Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has lifted its lockdown after an active shooter was reported at the medical center on Thursday afternoon.
According to officials, "there was no real world active shooter incident" and the report occured during a "normal, scheduled installation exercise which included an Active Shooter scenario."
Security forces and other emergency responders were called to the base hospital, while workers were told to shelter in place. But an investigation found that an unknown individual called 911 believing the active shooter exercise was real.
"As a result, security forces responded to the scene and began a systematic sweep and clearing of the entire hospital," the school said. "In an attempt to breech a door that was locked, a security forces member discharged his firearm to open the door and continue the sweep of the facility."
Wright-Patterson declared the scene safe, but the base will remain closed for the remainder of the day.
WOSU's original story continues below
“At approximately 12:40 p.m. today our base emergency responders which included security forces and fire department personnel reported to an incident in building 830, which is the Wright-Patterson hospital," said Marie Vanover, Wright Patterson director of public affairs. "No additional details are available at this time and info will be released as it becomes available."
At approximately 12:40 p.m. today, base emergency responders, including security forces and fire department, responded to a reported incident in building 830, the Wright-Patt Hospital. There are no additional details at this time. Information will be released as it is available
— 88th Air Base Wing (@WrightPattAFB) August 2, 2018
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and local police were among the agencies that sent personnel to the base, which is near Dayton.
A base employee told WYSO that all employees were told to take cover. The employee said the suspect is barricaded on the fourth floor of the hospital building. He and his co-workers took shelter in a locker room about one block away from the hospital.
Some parts of the base were evacuated.
Wright-Patterson is Ohio's largest single-site employer with more than 27,000 civilian employees and military personnel.
This is a developing story. We will update this article when more information becomes available.
