Suspected gunman in custody after shooting at Ark. base

KTHV-TV, Little Rock, Ark.

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — Security forces at Little Rock Air Force Base on Monday subdued an alleged gunman who approached the gate and fired a weapon, said Lt. Col. Christopher Karns, an Air Force spokesman in Washington. The incident is under investigation, he said.

At least two people have been hospitalized after shots were fired, police said.

Officials with the base reported an active threat occurred at about 9:15 a.m. at the front gate on Vandenberg Drive. Jacksonville Police Chief Kenny Boyd said shots were fired.

A person is alleged to have approached the gate and fired a weapon, Karns said. Security personnel returned fire and wounded the gunman who was taken to a hospital, Karns said.

He said security personnel fired at the shooter to ensure the safety of others.

Little Rock Air Force Base officials said in an afternoon news release that the suspected gunman is in custody and has been transported to a hospital, where he is in critical condition.

All of the base's gates were closed to inbound and outbound traffic. But by early afternoon, officials said all buildings of the base were open. The main gate and another remained closed; two other gates have been opened.

A news release from base officials detailed that a bystander was taken to a nearby hospital for non-related medical care and has been released.

Base officials are continuing to investigate the situation, coordinating with Jacksonville police and Air Force Office of Special Investigation.

Vehicles near the front gate were being inspected, with at least one vehicle checked by a robotic machine.

Base officials noted in a news release: "The safety of base members and their families are of base leaders' utmost concern."

In a tweet, base officials said: "Base security personnel are responding to an incident at the base gate. All base gates are currently closed to traffic."

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY.