Gunman slain at Corpus Christi Navy air base
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – An gunman who wounded a sailor at a Navy air base in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Thursday was killed by security officers, officials said.
The gunman tried to speed through a gate at the base in a vehicle and opened fire on security workers, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. A female sailor who is a member of the base security force was struck but was able to hit a switch that raised a barrier, stopping the vehicle from getting onto the base.
The gunman left his vehicle and was killed in an exchange of gunfire with security personnel, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details about an ongoing investigation.
FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves said the incident was “terrorism-related” and confirmed the gunman was dead. Greeves added that a second potential suspect is at large.
The FBI in Houston said it would lead the investigation. Neither investigators nor the Navy provided details on the shooter or a possible motive.
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi was locked down after the incident, about 6:15 a.m. local time. The lockdown was lifted about five hours later.
The wounded security force member was released from a hospital after treatment.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi sent a message to students saying the situation at the base was resolved and there was no threat to the Island Campus.
The base has been home to naval pilot training since 1941, according to its website. The base went into lockdown, advising those in or near the north gate to get to safety and remain indoors and away from windows, officials said.
Representatives of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Texas Department of Public Safety were on scene, along with Corpus Christi police.