Armed Intruders Breached Joint Base Andrews Amid Reports Kamala Harris Landed: Officials

Joint Base Andrews in Maryland in an undated file photo (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Joint Base Andrews in Maryland went on lockdown on March 6 amid reports that an “active shooter” might have entered the base, according to a late-night statement from the base.

One person was arrested and another is still on the loose, officials said.

“At approximately 9 p.m. today, one vehicle drove through the security checkpoint and failed to adhere to commands of security personnel at the Main Gate on Joint Base Andrews, Maryland,” the statement reads. “We can confirm that the individual who was apprehended had a weapon, but no shots have been fired.”

It was later confirmed that “there is not an active shooter situation at Joint Base Andrews; however, the intruder’s whereabouts are currently unknown.”

In a later statement, posted on March 7, the base “found confirmatory evidence that the base intruder on the loose had departed the installation” and “another individual, a 17-year old male, was apprehended at the scene in possession of a firearm and remains in custody.”

The identities of the two alleged intruders weren’t disclosed by base officials.

The base’s main gate was to remain closed, with traffic being diverted to another gate, according to the statement. At about 3 a.m. local time, about six hours after it was closed, the main gate was reopened to full capacity, according to officials.

“I am incredibly proud of the quick actions of our Defenders to immediately deploy the barriers to stop last night’s stolen vehicle and then apprehend one of the individuals that had a weapon. The Defenders handled the intense situation with discipline and calm professionalism,” Col. Tyler Schaff, 316th Wing and Joint Base Andrews installation commander, said in a statement. “We are also thankful for our partnerships with local authorities, who responded rapidly on base to assist the 316th Security Forces Group throughout the night.”

Several reports citing White House officials noted that the incident occurred after Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at the base via Marine Two. Harris had participated at an event in Selma, Alabama, over the weekend.

A White House official told The Washington Post that Marine Two had landed and left the base safely.

White House officials didn’t respond to a request for comment by press time.

Harris’s office also confirmed to NBC4 that Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, and Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs Donald Remy were traveling with her.

Authorities noted in the statement that an investigation is currently underway.