Departures halted at Washington airport due to shooting

Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington. AP File Photo

WASHINGTON — Departures have been halted at Washington’s Reagan National Airport due to a shooting at the US Navy Yard, an official said Monday.

Chris Paolino, a spokesman for the airport, said inbound aircraft are still landing and that the airport remains open to passengers.

“We can confirm that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has halted aircraft departures from Reagan National due to an active law enforcement incident at the Washington Navy Yard,” Paolino told AFP via email.

Several people have been wounded in the shooting at the nearby US Navy Yard in Washington, authorities said.

The Navy said at least three shots were fired at 8:20 am (1320 GMT) in the headquarters building of the Naval Sea Systems Command.

About 3,000 people work at the headquarters, which is responsible for building and buying US warships and combat systems, the Navy said.

The complex also has a residence that serves as the home of the chief of the US Navy.