Shots fired at US air base, one wounded

WASHINGTON, United States – An armed man was shot and critically wounded after trying to enter Little Rock Air Force Base, though his motives were not immediately clear.

The sprawling military base said the suspect, who was not named, was hospitalized in critical condition while in custody, the base said.

A bystander was also taken to hospital, but subsequently released.

“My defenders engaged the suspect,” base commander Colonel Charles “Chip” Brown told local media.

“He was in the process of getting out of his vehicle… He had a weapon in his hand.”

Brown said it was unclear whether the suspect had fired rounds from his weapon.

“Response teams have cleared the scene and have lifted the base lockdown” after three hours, the base said.

It was coordinating with the local police department, the Air Force Office of Special Investigation and the FBI.

The FBI does not suspect any links to terrorism, according to local officials.

In early May, the military boosted security at bases due to a potential terror threat.

US authorities worry that militants will follow the self-proclaimed Islamic State’s online postings calling for attacks on uniformed military and law enforcement officers.