McGhee Tyson air base on lockdown after report of armed person

Authorities secured McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base near Knoxville, Tenn., after a report of a questionable person armed with a gun sparked fears of an active shooter, according to Knox News.

Personnel at the base have been instructed to stay at their designated locations Wednesday afternoon after there was a report of someone seen carrying what could have been a rifle at about 11:15 a.m., Lt. Col. Travers Hurst told reporters in the area.

There have been no confirmed reports of a shooting, he stressed, and the Tennessee National Guard tweeted, “There are no reports of injuries.”

“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

State and federal law enforcement agencies are working with the base’s security personnel for further investigation.

A sweep of the base is underway to determine whether there is a gunman.

Developing