UPDATE: All clear given after hours-long lockdown at Tennessee air base
After being locked down for more than three hours, an all-clear was finally given for the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Tenn., following reports of an armed, suspicious person.
A base official is reporting that all students and instructors are accounted for, and there have been no reports of injuries.
Base spokesman Officer Travers Hurst said the Blount County Sheriff’s office was responding to the active shooter situation and was sweeping the area.
#BREAKING: A spokesperson for McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base says there is an active shooter & the base is on lockdown; the Blount County Sheriff's Office is responding. @WKRN
— (@JoshBreslowWKRN)Jan 15 2020
Guns are not allowed on campus aside from law enforcement and security forces, base officials said.
“Tenn. Nat. Guard security personnel are currently working w/state and federal law enforcement at McGhee Tyson Air Base on reports of suspicious activity. There are no reports of injuries. Situation is developing and more information will be released as it becomes available.”
— Tenn. National Guard (@TNMilitaryDept) January 15, 2020
First Class William Jones called it a developing situation.
BREAKING: Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding to an active shooter event at McGhee Tyson Airbase.
— Madisen Keavy (@madisenkeavy) January 15, 2020
The base is currently on lockdown. @6News #WATE pic.twitter.com/Ci4v8JLQzB
A spokesperson for the base told WBIR that a suspicious, armed person was reported near the base, prompting the lockdown.
Because of an active shooter situation, the Tennessee air National Guard McGee Tyson airport is on lockdown. Emergency medical staff is on standby and staged. So far the moment, this is not affecting flights in or out of TYS
— Pete Michaels Traffic (@MetroSkyWatch) January 15, 2020
The base is home to the 134th Air Refueling Wing. Spokeswoman Becky Huckabee with the neighboring commercial airport said no flights were being delayed.
This story is being updated as new details become available.
