Building 44 of Johnson Space Center Evacuated on Report of Gunman on the Loose (Wizbang)

Fox reported that building 44 of the Johnson Space Center in Houston was evacuated upon reports that a gunman on the loose inside. More details from KHOU.com:

A building at the Johnson Space Center was evacuated Friday afternoon because a man with a weapon was inside.

"A person with a weapon was in Building 44," confirmed NASA spokesperson Kylie Clem.

It's not clear if the gunman fired any shots or made any threats, according to NASA spokesperson James Hartsfield.

NASA security responded and HPD was called after the initial call around 1:40 p.m.

More than 15 police cars could be seen outside the building from Air 11.

HPD is also sending SWAT.

At least one ambulance was sent to the scene as a precaution, but there have been no reports of injuries.

Building 44, just north of Rocket Park, houses the communications and engineering departments. It is used to test communication equipment for the space shuttle and International Space Station. There are several labs inside.

Neil Cavuto has a reporter from KRIV on his show right now who is reporting that there was a shooting.

Update: I'm hearing on Fox that a NASA contractor has barricaded himself inside the building. President Bush is being briefed on what's going on at JSC.

Update II: The police and NASA authorities are having a press conference and are saying that the gunman is 60 years old, but they have no idea who he is or whether he's dead or alive since they have not yet made contact with him. The guy is by himself, so there's no point rushing in. Let him just sit there for while. He's not going anywhere.

Update III: Another press conference: the gunman killed himself, but, unfortunately, the reports that he was by himself were not accurate. He did kill one hostage, a man. A second hostage, a woman, was unharmed, although she was taped up, apparently. The police believe this murder suicide took place in the first minutes of this event. The police said they were called to the scene after two shots earlier today. This woman had to have been in that room with two dead bodies for several hours now. She must have thought no one was going to come get her. I wonder if she could hear the helicopters circling over head.

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Comments (32)

another astronaut love tria... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by sean nyc/aa | April 20, 2007 4:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

sean nyc/aa:

another astronaut love triangle maybe?

/sarc/

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:16

Are they wearing a road tri... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by marc | April 20, 2007 4:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

marc:

Are they wearing a road trip diaper?

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:31

This troubles me.I... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Heralder | April 20, 2007 4:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Heralder:

This troubles me.

I was sitting on the subway yesterday morning and everyone who had a newspaper (perhaps a third to half of the riders) had huge splash pages of the murderer from Virginia on the front page.

I got to thinking what an attraction such a display might provoke in unbalanced people...the attention of millions of people, your chance at fame.
I know this point had been brought up in previous threads, but now that there appears to be another shooting, this came to mind.

P.S., Sean, I think sarcasm is inappropriate at this point. We don't know if someone has been killed.

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:32

And marc.... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Heralder | April 20, 2007 4:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

And marc.

Comment deleted.... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Ismail Ax | April 20, 2007 4:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Ismail Ax:

Comment deleted.

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:38

Someone please delete that ... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Heralder | April 20, 2007 4:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Someone please delete that trash and ban the waste of skin that posted it.

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:40

I'll second that.... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Rob LA Ca. | April 20, 2007 4:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Rob LA Ca.:

I'll second that.

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:44

On that note, everyone have... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Heralder | April 20, 2007 4:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

On that note, everyone have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:45

Well, I hope this one is re... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by mantis | April 20, 2007 4:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

mantis:

Well, I hope this one is resolved without any deaths. What a terrible week.

President Bush is being briefed on what's going on at JSC.

Not to be a jerk or anything, but who cares? What's the president going to do about it?

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:57

Heralder:I hear ya... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by sean nyc/aa | April 20, 2007 4:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I hear ya, I was debating if it was proper to do this. But I figured you can't let every event keep you from saying what's on your mind. I certainly meant no harm.

Posted on April 20, 2007 16:59

"Not to be a jerk or any... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Lee | April 20, 2007 5:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lee:

"Not to be a jerk or anything, but who cares? What's the president going to do about it?"

He needs to be briefed in case there is any deciding that needs to be done.... he is, you know, the deciderer.

(private to mantis - you've got email)

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:01

"Not to be a jerk or anythi... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Dan S | April 20, 2007 5:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Dan S:

Well, considering he's gonna be blamed for anything bad, standing order are, "brief me!"

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:04

Good.One more of t... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by Ismail Ax | April 20, 2007 5:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Good.

One more of the 'brats' and 'snobs' of the elite going crazy in the communications and tracking development laboratory adds up to all that much more of a headache and heartache and expense for the 'brats and 'snobs' who 'torch' the weak and the defenseless.

Why should the 'snobs' and 'brats' of the elite of the US have their hand in ever being able to exploit the wealth of other orbs ?? The 'brats' and 'snobs' of torcher killer and mutilator US have enough money as it is. They don't need their favored few of the elite holding their sanity togeather any longer in a space communications and tracking development laboratory!

I hope they all go crazy !

I really do.

The less money the 'brats' and 'snobs' elite "USA" have, the less the 'brats' and 'snobs'll be able to 'torch' the weak and defenseless of the countries the 'brats' and 'snobs' hold under thier global rule through senseless killing bloodshed and shootings! The 'snobs' 'n 'brats' need a good dose of whatever cripples them up and 'torcehs' them back, as the 'brats' and 'snobs' have crippled and 'torched' the weak and defenseless of the entire world outside its borders and those INSIDE its national borders!

I really do hope they all go crazy.

DEFEND THE WEAK AND DEFENSELESS BROTHERS AND SISTERS

WATCH AND NOTE THE MUSLIM REBELLION OVERCOMING THE RICH AND ELITE OF THE BRATS AND SNOBS

Sincerely,

Ismail Ax

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:10

He needs to be briefed i... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by Larkin | April 20, 2007 5:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Larkin:

You never know when there might be some bold, decisive action required such as what happened when Bush was informed that America was under attack.

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:18

Every thread is a BDS threa... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Drago | April 20, 2007 5:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Drago:

Every thread is a BDS thread.

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:24

"You never know wh... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by langtry | April 20, 2007 5:25 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

langtry:

"You never know when there might be some bold, decisive action required such as what happened when Bush was informed that America was under attack."

Can I be so bold as to nominate mantis for at least temporary bannination? Is it necessary to inject loathing inre 9/11 into this discussion?

Seriously, mantis, you need to get a grip!

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:25

"I'll second that."<p... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by Ismail Ax | April 20, 2007 5:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

"I'll second that."

Well, second again Rob LA Ca. The people who actually make up the people who live in LA Ca, the people who actually make up the people who live in the US who ARE the weak and defenseless whom the 'brats' and the 'snobs' of the elite of the US, that is people like YOU 'torch,' are going to be coming, will be coming, for people like YOU Heralder, Rob LA Ca.

CHEER ON THE MUSLIM REBELLION AGAINST THE SNOBS AND THE BRATS

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:29

It's 5:00 PM, do we know wh... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by kim | April 20, 2007 5:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

kim:

It's 5:00 PM, do we know where Alec Baldwin is? Or Ismail Ax?
=====================================

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:39

Look at the big brain on is... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by nikkolai | April 20, 2007 5:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

nikkolai:

Look at the big brain on ismail ax!

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:51

Shouldn't the lefties here ... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by nikkolai | April 20, 2007 5:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Shouldn't the lefties here (including ismail ax) be hanging out at du or dailykos or some other crappy commie site?

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:53

These lefties, lee, mantis ... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by waldo | April 20, 2007 5:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

waldo:

These lefties, lee, mantis et al cannot wait for a thread to be posted to knock Bush. I can't remember a story on wizbang where one of these didn't have some negative thing to say about the President even if the story wasn't anywhere connected to politics. They must spend all their waking hours waiting to post something negative. Really pityful.

Posted on April 20, 2007 17:57

langtry, I didn't wr... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by mantis | April 20, 2007 6:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

langtry, I didn't write what you quoted.

Posted on April 20, 2007 18:01

I'm not knocking the presid... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by mantis | April 20, 2007 6:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I'm not knocking the president, I'm wondering why it matters that he's being briefed about what is a local law enforcement issue, and from the looks of it, a minor one. I would hope he's been told about it, but why is that part of the story?

Posted on April 20, 2007 18:08

Is NBC feeling guilty yet?<... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Jo | April 20, 2007 6:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jo:

Is NBC feeling guilty yet?

Posted on April 20, 2007 18:26

langtry, I didn't write ... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Larkin | April 20, 2007 6:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I'm the guilty party.

Langtry, et al, you guys need to lighten up a bit. When you consider all the scathing, merciless (and often personal) bashing of Reid, Pelosi, Obama, Gore and Hilary that takes place in here I don't believe my harmless jab at the Prez was so out of line.

Posted on April 20, 2007 18:45

Not to be a jerk or anyt... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by sean nyc/aa | April 20, 2007 7:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Not to be a jerk or anything, but who cares? What's the president going to do about it?
mantis

You're right that there's probably not much he can do about it, but it is a federal agency, he should be kept informed.

Posted on April 20, 2007 19:09

a diversion...sometimes we ... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by ngo postal | April 20, 2007 7:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

ngo postal:

a diversion...sometimes we need to go to someplace neutral..may I suggest...the NFL Draft is coming up..best place for info..and most links to mock drafts
just scroll down..to dozens of mock drafts
http://www.hailredskins.com/MockDraft.htm

...if you are not a sports fan..check out the spectrum of stuff available at
http://www.metafilter.com/

what I'm sayin' we all need to take a break sometimes...

4/20 C.H.S.

Posted on April 20, 2007 19:36

oh yeah sean"another... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by nogo postal | April 20, 2007 7:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

nogo postal:

oh yeah sean
"another astronaut love triangle maybe?"
a person was killed here..in this period of keeping an awareness for signs of potential danger..may I suggest someone who attempts to make a joke concerning the murder of another person..may, or may not be demonstrating one of those signs...
talk to ya'all on Monday..wife and I are going to Colo Mtns..no paper,net TV..just a nice place..tent..warm clothes..take care..

Posted on April 20, 2007 19:43

langtry, As one wh... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by bryanD | April 20, 2007 11:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

bryanD:

langtry,

As one who, during the Great One's (JT's) Come-to-Jesus anti-troll Hammer-of-Thor post, lobbied to have me banned for a literary use of the F word regarding Churchill's conduct during WW I, I have to ask (in light of your snitching on one the more interesting commenters (mantis)): are you a Snake? One of those subterranean Lizard Folk that can only DREAM of world domination, because their brain's are only the size of a walnut?

Posted on April 20, 2007 23:00

No apostrophe in BRAINS!!!!... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by bryanD | April 20, 2007 11:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

No apostrophe in BRAINS!!!!

Posted on April 20, 2007 23:01

"...BRATS AND SNOBS_Ismail ... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by bryanD | April 20, 2007 11:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

"...BRATS AND SNOBS_Ismail Ax"

You're a poser. "Stomach People", dillweed. Get off the couch. Spirit vs desires. Try lawn maintenance. Lie and they'll pay you $9/hr.

Posted on April 20, 2007 23:07

Houston we have a problem. ... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by Paul Hooson | April 21, 2007 8:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul Hooson:

Houston we have a problem. Another disturbing incident was the arrest of a high school student in Oregon who was building homemade hand grenades in a plot to kiil students in the lunchroom today. With all the disgrace brought on Cho at Virginia Tech why anyone would want to be laughed at by the public as a violent screwball is beyond me.

Posted on April 21, 2007 08:24

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