Joint Base Andrews lifts lockdown; no armed suspect found

FILE - The sign for Joint Base Andrews is seen on March 26, 2021, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Joint Base Andrews has been locked down for reports of a man carrying an 鈥渁ssault-style鈥 rifle on Thursday, March 30, 2023, authorities said. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 Joint Base Andrews, one of the nation鈥檚 most sensitive military bases and home to Air Force One, emerged from a lockdown Thursday evening after officials were unable to confirm reports of a man carrying an 鈥渁ssault-style鈥 rifle on the base, authorities said.

No shots were fired and no suspect was found after hours of searching, according to a statement from the Maryland base.

The person was reportedly seen near the base鈥檚 housing area around 2:30 p.m. Officials allowed a limited release from lockdown at 5 p.m., and the full lockdown was lifted an hour later.

Joint Base Andrews, a few miles outside Washington, houses the fleet of blue and white presidential aircraft, including Air Force One.

The base has faced security issues previously, including when an last month. A resident opened fire on the trespasser.

Two years ago, a man breached several spots on the base 鈥 including a military checkpoint 鈥 and , a transport jet primarily used by members of the Cabinet, Congress and military combatant commanders.

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Dazio reported from Los Angeles.

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