Police say three shooters are behind a rampage at the Navy Yard in Southeast Washington DC. One of the shooters is “down,” according to police, but two remain at large. Shots rang out around 8:20am. The Washington Post reports 10 people were shot. NBC News is reporting four have died.
The story has taken over coverage on the cable news channels for nearly two hours. Fox News was first to report the story at 8:43; CNN broke the news at 8:55 and MSNBC reported it at the top of Chuck Todd’s show at 9am.
The Washington Navy Yard is a former military ordnance plant. It now serves as a ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S. Navy. About 3,000 people work there.
Breaking…
12:19: At a news conference, D.C. Police chief Cathy Lanier confirms authorities are searching for “potentially two other shooters.”
12:34: Pres. Obama speaks about the tragedy: “We stand with the families who need our love and support.”
1:06: NBC News and CBS News retract reports about the identity of the shooter.
2:04: NBC/MSNBC now saying death toll is at 8. CNN and Fox News being cautious reporting “multiple” fatalities.
2:06: Police chief update: “At least 12 confirmed dead,” including the shooter. George Stephanopoulos breaks in to ABC at 2:15; Brian Williams breaks in on NBC at 2:25.
2:46: NBC News reports shooter is 34-year-old civilian contractor Aaron Alexis.
4:18: CBS News will expand “Evening News” to an hour tonight for coverage of the Navy Yard shooting.
4:19: Mayor says 13 people killed, including gunman. Also, one of two suspects is no longer being sought. Authorities still want to talk to another man seen on video in the area at the time of the shootings wearing a “drab olive uniform.”
4:52: Fox News has tweaked its primetime schedule for tonight. At 8pmET, Bill Hemmer will anchor from New York, with Greta Van Susteren contributing from the Navy Yard in DC. Sean Hannity will be live at 9pmET and Van Susteren will anchor the 10pmET and 11pmET hours from the Navy Yard.
7:42: Anderson Cooper will report from DC for CNN’s primetime programming tonight.