One person has been reported killed and several others shot at an American military base in Fort Hood,Texas, USA.
According to multiple reports, the yet to be identified gunman was still at large as at the time of filing this report.
A TV station said a witness reported that there were at least 20 shots fired while there were reports of victims at the base’s Medical Brigade Building and the Battle Simulation Center.
Another report stated that as many as eight people may have been injured.
Fort Hood only confirmed there has been “an incident” on the post and police are on the scene,
“All personnel on post are asked to shelter in place,” the official Twitter account of Fort Hood said.
Army personnel was being told to stay away from doors and windows as authorities searched for a gunman with a .45-caliber pistol who was seen driving a gray Toyota.
A message that scrolled across the top of the post’s website said, “Shelter in place immediately. This is not a test.”
The shooting took place shortly after 5 pm EST. Sirens could be heard across the base an hour after the shootings.
The shootings took place in several buildings.
The Metroplex Hospital in Killeen has been placed on standby, officials said.
Central Texas College in Killeen is evacuating its campus and all evening and night classes have been canceled for the rest of the day, according to KVUE.
A soldier told newsmen that the gunman and officials appeared to be in a standoff.
It was also gathered that soldiers without IDs and permits were being turned away from base entrances.
However, reports say President Obama has been informed of the incident.
At 340 square miles, Fort Hood is one of the largest military bases in the world.
It could be recalled that on Nov. 5, 2009, Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood’s Soldier Readiness Center, killing 12 soldiers and one civilian and wounding 29 others before two Fort Hood civilian police officers shot him.
He is now on the military’s death row.