A gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint at the subway entrance into the Pentagon tonight, wounding two police officers. The suspect was shot and killed. No motive is known at this time.
The suspect has been identified as John Patrick Bedell, age 36.
After the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, the entrance the shooter opened fire at is no longer a direct entrance into the building. Now, persons must take a long escalator ride to the surface from the underground station, then pass through a security check outside the doors of the building, where further security awaits.
The Pentagon went into immediate lock-down after the shooting. Later, all entrances were reopened except for the subway entrance where the shooting took place.
The gunman was emotionless, and gave no sign of his intentions. He simply reached into his pocket, pulled out the gun, and began firing. He seemed like just a normal guy, and the security officers thought that when he was reaching for his gun he was actually reaching for a pass.
Despite the shooting at the security station, officials say the security measures proved to be a success. The gunman never entered the building where he would have been able to hurt many more people.
Bedell is from California, according to law enforcement officials.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
2 Pentagon police officers shot - Associated Press, Yahoo News
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