Tragic, during an attack at a bus platform outside the military headquarters, a Pentagon police officer was killed on Tuesday morning, August 3, 2021, on the Metro bus platform outside the building, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency confirmed.
As cited News24xx.com from CBS News, two law enforcement sources told that investigators at this point believe that there was an altercation in which the suspect stabbed the police officer.
The incident prompted gunfire, a lockdown of the sprawling facility in Virginia, and massive police and fire response, officials said.
Woodrow Kusse, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s chief of Pentagon Police, told reporters during a press briefing the attack occurred around 10:37 a.m., the encounters resulted in “several casualties,” caused the Pentagon to go into lockdown for roughly an hour.
The law enforcement sources said there appeared to have been a tussle over the officer’s weapon and the weapon went off. The suspect was fatally shot.
The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Austin Lanz of Georgia. Lanz enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2012 but was administratively separated in early November 2012, and never earned the title of Marine.
The incident is over and there is no continuing threat to our community.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued condolences in a statement after the agency’s announcement. He ordered flags at the Pentagon to half-staff to honor the officer.
The FBI is leading the investigation into the attack.
