MacDill Air Force Base in Florida was locked down Friday morning after reports of an armed and dangerous suspect near a base entrance.
The unidentified suspect was located near the Tanker Way entrance gate about 7 a.m., according to base officials. The base was locked down until police and other first responders arrived.
No shots were fired inside the base, and no base officials or employees were injured.
Despite earlier social media reports of an active shooter inside the base, the suspect was never on base property.
St. Petersburg police notified the base after a domestic-related incident was reported at a local apartment complex, according to Bay News 9. A police spokesperson told the station they had reason to believe the suspect may have been heading near the base but did not say why.
The suspect, identified as a 54-year-old male, was captured by local police after the incident.
The Hillsborough County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office confirmed there was no active shooter on the base.
The lockdown was lifted shortly before 8 a.m, with cars being allowed back onto the base.
The base is located in Tampa.
MacDill is home to the U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Special Operations Command. Both commands are independent from each other, and each is commanded by a respective four-star general or admiral.
MacDill is also home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing. More than 15,000 military personnel are employed on the base, which is also home to a large number of military members and their families.
About the Author
