A ‘random event’
The Pentagon’s main building wasstruck by several bullets probably from a high-powered rifleabout 5 a.m. Washington time today and officials are looking forthe shooter, Defense Department officials said.
Pentagon police heard five to seven rounds in the southparking lot area, prompting officials to shut down the buildingfor about 40 minutes, said Colonel David Lapan, a departmentspokesman.
“There was some minor damage to the exterior of thebuilding but no penetration,” Lapan said. He said he doesn’tknow how many bullets hit the building.
Steve Calvery, the head of the Pentagon’s security force,said at a later press conference that two windows “wereshattered but they were not penetrated” and investigators arereviewing surveillance tapes for clues. The incident isconsidered a “random event,” he said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, local police and thefederal Joint Terrorism Task Force are cooperating with theDefense Department in the investigation at the Pentagon, whichis located in Virginia, just outside of Washington.