Update (3:50 p.m.): The Naval Support Activity Bethesda announced at around 1:15 p.m. that the shelter-in-place order was lifted in all its locations after undergoing a bomb threat investigation for several hours.
Jeremy Brooks, a public affairs officer with NSA Bethesda, told MyMCM that there were no devices found in the area. A K-9 team cleared all of the buildings after conducting a search, he said.
1315, 20OCT21: UPDATE: The installation commanding officer has lifted the shelter in place for all locations effective immediately and has authorized the opening of Gates 1 and 3 for outbound traffic only.
— Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021
NSA Bethesda tweeted, “Normal weekday gate operations have resumed at NSA Bethesda.”
Montgomery County Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security tweeted that regular gate operations have resumed at NSA Bethesda, but expect “residual delays” in the surrounding areas.
Regular gate operations resume at NSA Bethesda. Residual delays possible on Rockville Pike (MD 355) at Cedar Lane, MD 355 at Jones Bridge Road, and Connecticut Ave (MD 185) near I-495. #MdTraffic
— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) October 20, 2021
Update (1 p.m.): Naval Support Activity Bethesda tweeted at around 1 p.m. that Walter Reed’s Shelter in place remains in place.
“NSAB’s commanding officer has lifted the shelter in place at all other locations effective immediately, authorizing the opening of Gates 1 & 3, outbound traffic only,” the tweet says.
Walter Reed’s shelter in place is going to be lifted on a building-by-building basis, according to NSA Bethesda.
2/2 – 1245, 20OCT21: The Walter Reed Bethesda shelter in place will be lifted building by building. Those inside should standby for further clarification.
— Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021
Original Post (10:16 a.m.): The Naval Support Activity Bethesda tweeted Wednesday morning that at 8:45 a.m., authorities received a call from an anonymous source saying there was a bomb “at or near Building 10.”
Building 10 is the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. According to a tweet from Naval Support Activity Bethesda, “Security personnel have responded to the scene.”
“The base is on lockdown. All personnel should shelter in place. All gates are closed to non-emergency traffic. The public is asked to avoid the area,” Naval Support Activity Bethesda tweeted.
2/2 – 1000: 20OCT21: NOTE: The official “All Clear” – when appropriate – will be reported by NSA Bethesda on our social media and other official channels.
— Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021
Naval Support Support Bethesda confirmed at around 10 a.m. that there is no indication of an active shooter.
Walter Reed issued a statement on their Facebook page alerting personnel of the shelter in place:
Montgomery County Emergency Management tweeted that because the Naval Support Activities Bethesda gates are closed, commuters should expect severe traffic delays in surrounding areas:
All Naval Support Activity Bethesda Gates are closed. Severe backups possible on Rockville Pike (MD 355) at Cedar Lane, MD 355 at Jones Bridge Road, & Connecticut Ave (MD 185) near I-495. Seek alternate routes. #MdTraffic
— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) October 20, 2021
Walter Reed announced on Twitter that all patient appointments have been canceled.
