Naval Air Station Pensacola on Lockdown: What Happened After Reports of Gunfire?

There was a scare at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, when reports of a possible active shooter came in on Thursday afternoon. Local law enforcement and military police quickly responded, but thankfully, it turned out to be a false alarm, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Pictures and videos taken from the scene captured a heavy police presence. However, law enforcement found no evidence of a shooter and reported no injuries.

The sheriff’s office said there were two calls about three gunshots heard, but after investigation, they discovered no proof of that happening. They mentioned this on their Facebook page.

As a precaution, NAS Pensacola announced that while the main and west gates were open for those with Department of Defense ID cards, public access was restricted. Notices were also issued that all gates to Corry Station, a part of NAS Pensacola, were closed.

The base urged individuals on site to follow instructions from Navy Security Forces. Captain Chandra Newman, of NAS Pensacola, stated in a post that their security team was working closely with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of service members and their families.

Although NAS Pensacola’s Public Affairs office did not comment further, a spokesperson from the Escambia County Fire Rescue confirmed they had responded to the situation but directed questions back to NAS Pensacola.

The FBI’s Pensacola office also got involved in the incident as a standard procedure to ensure safety, as confirmed by a spokesperson in Jacksonville.

Located in Escambia County, NAS Pensacola is well-known for hosting the Navy’s Blue Angels. This important military base has a workforce of over 16,000 military personnel and about 7,400 civilian staff.

It’s important to remember that NAS Pensacola has faced serious incidents in the past. In 2019, a Saudi Arabian second lieutenant in flight training tragically opened fire on the base, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries.

Everyone is relieved that this time the threat was not real, but it serves as a reminder of the intense focus on safety at military installations.