A gunman opened fire at the historic military base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Wednesday, December 4th, 2019, base officials said, with local media reporting that at least three people were wounded before the suspect took his own life. The shipyard was on lockdown for nearly two hours, according to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham.
Pearl Harbor was put on lockdown after the Shooting Reports
The Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam confirmed the lockdown and report of the shooting, writing on Twitter, “JBPHH security forces have responded to a reported shooting at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. Due to the ongoing security incident, access/gates to #JBPHH are closed. We will update when we have further information.” The lockdown was lifted at about 4:10 p.m., the base reported. Military police responded to the scene.
JBPHH security forces have responded to a reported shooting at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. Due to the ongoing security incident, access/gates to #JBPHH are closed. We will update when we have further information. pic.twitter.com/6uZulGOUTx
— Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (@JointBasePHH) December 5, 2019
The lockdown caused a traffic backup on Nimitz and Kamehameha highways, which remained even after the lockdown was lifted. Commercial flights were still operating, and officials said those headed to the airport should allow for extra time. KITV 4 reported a nearby McDonald’s was also on lockdown.
#BREAKING: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on lockdown. Stay with KITV as this unfoldshttps://t.co/59tz8CYL2L pic.twitter.com/W5L4bGwybc
— KITV4 (@KITV4) December 5, 2019
Victims of the Pearl Harbor Shooting
At least two people were critically injured. One of those was in “extremely critical condition.” That person was taken to the Tripler Army Medical Center. A second person was taken to Pali Momi Medical Center. A third person was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center and was listed in stable condition, according to Hawaii News Now.
Civilians were among the shooting victims. A scanner feed described the incident as a mass casualty event with at least three victims.
Witnesses told Hawaii News Now that the shooting occurred near Drydock 2. Base personnel received texts alerts, and a PA system warned those on the base to take cover. The situation was still “unfolding,” nearly one hour after the incident began at about 2:30 p.m. At about 3:30 p.m., the news outlet reported the shooter was “secured.”
Pearl Harbor Gunman Reportedly Shot Himself
In unconfirmed reports, a witness told Hawaii News Now he saw the gunman shoot himself. He was sitting at his desk when he heard loud pops and looked outside. “I kind of recognize that as gunshots,” the witness said. “I looked out in time to see the shooter, who I assume was a sailor because he was in uniform … shoot himself.”
KITV 4 also reported the gunman was dead.
Pearl Harbor 78th Anniversary is due in two Days
The shooting at Pearl Harbor occurred just three days before the 78th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that prompted the United States to join World War II.
Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulting in the deaths of 1,177 crew members on the US Arizona. The attack prompted the United States to declare war on Japan and shortly after Germany.
