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Redstone Arsenal base in Alabama on lockdown for two hours after false alarm of active shooter
A military base in Alabama was placed on lockdown for two hours on Tuesday, following reports of a possible active shooter which later turned out to be false.
The alarm was raised at Redstone Arsenal, a military base near Huntsville, around 11am local time (5pm BST).
Reports suggested an incident at the Sparkman Center on the base.
But by 1pm local time the all-clear was given.
"We do not believe there is a threat or we would not have opened the installation back up," said Christopher Colster, spokesman for the base.
Police cars with flashing lights blocked entrances to Redstone, which also has facilities used by federal law enforcement agencies. Images on social media showed an ambulance and what appeared to be civilians standing outside the Sparkman Center, which includes multiple buildings with offices, an auditorium, cafeteria and an interior courtyard.
The base is the army's centre for rockets and missiles.
It is also home to Nasa's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Mr Colster said: “It’s a scary situation but I believe one we’re prepared for.
“If it comes to it, run, hide fight, all that stuff we’re been preparing for for years.”
The alert came a day before an active shooter drill was scheduled to take place, although officials at the base assured staff members today's alert is a "real world event".
The original arsenal was formed in 1941, and used to make ammunition and toxic chemicals during the Second World War, when it employed 19,000.
The department of defense says it is home to 835 active duty members of the military, with over 5,000 family members.
Almost 37,000 civilian contractors work on the base.
It is also home to over 40,000 retired servicemen and their families, living over 32,000 acres.
Robert Aderholt, a congressman for Alabama, said his staff was monitoring the reports.
Kay Ivey, governor of Alabama, was being updated about the situation, but her office was not able to provide any details.
"My office is aware of the developing situation at Redstone Arsenal, and we are monitoring it closely," she said in a statement, before the alert was lifted.
"I am praying for a swift resolution to this matter."