PHOENIX – Authorities found no evidence of an active shooter at Luke Air Force Base on Friday after locking down and searching the West Valley military installment.
The lockdown was lifted just after 11:20 a.m., nearly an hour after it began.
Personnel were told to shelter in place while law enforcement and emergency personnel investigated reports of an active shooter, according to a 10:40 a.m. statement from the base.
The public was advised to avoid the area and refrain from spreading unverified information during the lockdown, which was implemented just before 10:30 a.m.
It’s not clear where the active shooter reports originated.
“Any report of a potential threat to our people, installation or equipment is taken seriously at Luke AFB,” Brig. Gen. David Berkland, commander of the 56th Fighter Wing, said in a statement after the all clear was given. “We initiated lockdown procedures to protect our people while our Security Forces Defenders and law enforcement partners assessed the situation. We use these measures decisively and proactively, and today they worked exactly as intended.”
While the search was ongoing, the Glendale Police Department said there was no evidence that shots were fired that a shooter was present.
Where is Luke Air Force Base?
Luke Air Force Base is located near Glendale at Litchfield Road and Northern Avenue.
It is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, the world’s largest fighter wing and the Air Force’s primary active-duty fighter pilot training wing.
“The safety of our airmen, families and community is always our top priority,” Berkland said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we worked through this as a team.”
This is a developing story.
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