UPDATE 1 – Lockdown lifted at U.S. Army post Redstone Arsenal in Alabama

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By BNO NEWS

The U.S. Army post Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, was put on lockdown Tuesday morning amid reports of an active shooter, but an hours-long search failed to find any evidence of a shooting.

The incident began just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday when reports emerged of a possible shooting at or near the Sparkman Center at Redstone Arsenal. The center is home to the headquarters of the Army’s Aviation and Missile Command.

“Possible active shooter on the Arsenal. Installation is locked down. Run hide fight,” the Army post said on Facebook just after 10:30 a.m. The base remained on lockdown for hours as heavily-armed police officers searched the post.

Chris Colster, a spokesman for the Army post, said at around 1 p.m. that there were no reports of injuries but added that an investigation is still underway. No evidence of a shooting was found and the lockdown has been lifted.

The FBI said the report may have involved a domestic incident.

“As of 12:30 p.m., employees can move about the post in an orderly fashion, but are asked to keep movements limited,” the post said in a statement. “Movement remains restricted in the area near the intersections and roads around the Sparkman Center.”

During the lockdown, all gates to the Redstone Arsenal were closed as emergency services, including heavily-armed police officers and multiple ambulances, rushed to the scene. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which is located on the Redstone Arsenal, was also on lockdown.

“My office is being updated about the situation [at Redstibe Arsenal],” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said on Twitter as the shooting scare unfolded. “I will continue to closely monitor and pray for a peaceful and quick resolution.”

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command had planned to hold an active shooter exercise at Redstone Arsenal this week, but officials said Tuesday’s incident was not a drill. The planned exercise was meant to focus on the Sparkman Center, among other buildings.

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