A security guard at a Washington, D.C. television station shot and wounded a man trying to break into the facility Monday afternoon, news outlets reported.
The intruder made it into WTTG-TV after breaking through glass security doors.
The security guard first tried to subdue the suspect with pepper spray and, when that failed, she shot him in the torso, according to police.
Update 7:40 p.m. EDT Oct. 22: The suspect in the incident at WTTG-TV Monday has been identified as George Odemns of Washington, D.C., according to a reporter at the station.
It’s still unclear what provoked the suspect and why he allegedly tried to break into the station.
An investigation is underway.
Update 6:40 p.m. EDT Oct. 22: The suspect who allegedly smashed through glass security doors at WTTG-TV, a Fox News affiliate, before a security guard shot and wounded him, was known to police and station executives according to station reporter Evan Lambert.
Lambert said, in a post on social media, that the man had threatened Fox executives and law enforcement before.
It’s unclear whether the man directed threats against specific individuals, Lambert said.
Police told news outlets that the suspect is believed to suffer from mental health issues.
UPDATE 4:40 p.m. EDT Oct. 22: Surveillance video shows a suspect kicking out the glass in a front door of the lobby, then kicking out the glass in a door into the studio after 3 p.m. local time.
WTTG reporter Evan Lambert said on Twitter that, according to police, the man was not armed and that a female security officer shot him in the upper torso.
Original report:
A security guard at WTTG, a local Fox station in Washington, D.C., shot a man who attempted to enter the building Monday afternoon, according to authorities.
WRC reported that, according to the Metropolitan Police Department, the man broke out glass in two doors or two windows, allowing him to enter the building. Police said the security guard attempted to subdue the man with pepper spray, but shot him when he remained aggressive.
The 38-year-old man was shot in the lobby, police told WTTG. He was taken to an area hospital with an upper body wound and is expected to survive.
"Man was conscious as he was transported into ambulance a few minutes ago." station reporter Lindsay Watts tweeted around 3:30 p.m. local time. "Surreal to be reporting on this."
WTTG reported that employees at the station are safe.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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