A gunman was shot and hospitalized after opening fire at the main gate of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, prompting a temporary closure but no threat to the public.
A gunman was shot and injured early Wednesday after opening fire outside the main gate of Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, a facility linked to the secretive Area 51, authorities said.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, “fired rounds” at the gate around 12:30 a.m. while “behaving erratically,” according to a base spokesperson. Security personnel confronted him, and he allegedly pointed his firearm at them. Police said the suspect was then shot in the leg, and a tourniquet was applied before he was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Nellis AFB announced on Facebook that its main gate will remain closed “until further notice,” with an alternate entrance opened to ease traffic. Officials stressed there is no threat to the public, and an investigation is ongoing.
Area 51, though under Nellis’ jurisdiction, is located remotely within the Nevada Test and Training Range.