The U.S. Navy released a statement Nov. 27 stating the false active shooter alert at Bethesda, Md.-based Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was caused by an "improper" alert, according to CNN.
Here are four things to know:
1. The Navy's statement, obtained by CNN, attributed the reports of an active shooter at the hospital to a mistakenly sent notification.
"While preparing for an upcoming drill, the notification system was inadvertently enacted without containing the words 'EXERCISE' or 'DRILL,'" the Navy said. "Individuals who saw the mass notification statement immediately notified NSA Bethesda security, where they responded accordingly and instituted an installation-wide active shooter response."
2. Confusion about the situation began after several agencies reported the incident differently. Shortly after 2 p.m., the Naval Support Activity Bethesda's Facebook account noted reports of an active shooter at the hospital. Roughly one hour later, the page was updated to say no active shooter had been found. However, the Department of Defense reported the incident as part of an exercise drill. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the drill to CNN just after 3:15 p.m. EST.
3. However, the Naval Support Activity Bethesda said on its Facebook page around 4 p.m. EST that the agency had investigated the call and "determined that this was a false alarm and not part of a scheduled drill as has been reported," CNN reports.
4. Several congressmen and hospital staff, however, told various media publications they did not receive any indications that the incident was a drill. Among them was U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., who tweeted "at no point was there any indication that this was a drill." He continued to say he planned to follow up and see how the process can be improved.
To access the full report, click here.
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