PENSACOLA, Fla. — Authorities at Corry Station, a Navy installation in Pensacola, found no evidence of an active shooter after reports of gunfire led to a comprehensive search and brief closure of the facility on Thursday. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons reported that although gunshots were heard earlier in the day, a thorough investigation revealed no signs of a shooting or any injuries.
The initial report emerged around 10:15 a.m., prompting both law enforcement and military personnel to respond promptly to secure the area. The security measures included closing entrances to both Corry Station and the overarching Naval Air Station Pensacola, collectively ensuring the safety of individuals on the bases.
Despite the alarming nature of the call, after almost two hours of meticulous examination, officials deemed the site secure and began to reopen access points to the larger Naval Air Station while keeping some areas, specifically the gates of Corry Station, closed into the early afternoon.
Corry Station operates under the larger umbrella of Naval Air Station Pensacola and hosts several critical military and civilian units, including the Navy’s Center for Information Warfare Training. The installation’s operational protocol, as listed on the Navy’s website, mandates that all entrants must either possess proper credentials or be accompanied by someone who does, ensuring a high level of security around the clock.
This incident comes as a stark reminder of the December 2019 tragedy when a Saudi aviation student opened fire in a classroom at NAS Pensacola. That attack resulted in the deaths of three sailors and injuries to eight others, including two deputies who responded to the incident. One of those deputies was able to neutralize the shooter, identified as Mohammed Alshamrani.
In the wake of the 2019 shooting, the U.S. administration undertook significant actions, including the repatriation of 21 Saudi military students. These students were reportedly found to have either jihadist tendencies or anti-American sentiments on their social media pages, or were linked to disturbing content in online forums. However, none were directly accused of previous knowledge or involvement in the attack.
The swift and coordinated response to Thursday’s incident underscores the heightened vigilance and comprehensive safety protocols now standard at NAS Pensacola and its sub-installations. The base’s command, along with local law enforcement, emphasized their commitment to the security and well-being of all personnel and civilians on site.
Officials continued to monitor the situation and conduct follow-up investigations to ascertain the source of the sounds that triggered the alert. Community safety remains a paramount concern, reinforced by stringent access controls and the readiness of both military and civilian law enforcement to respond rapidly to potential threats.