Armed intruder arrested after Vice President Harris leaves Joint Base Andrews
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Authorities apprehended an armed suspect after at least two intruders entered Joint Base Andrews on Sunday night, soon after Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff left the base on Marine Two, per multiple reports.
Why it matters: The breach appeared to be one of the most serious such incidents at the Maryland base in recent years. The second suspect was still at large on Monday morning, according to statements from Andrews officials.
Driving the news: Andrews officials said in an emailed statement "one vehicle drove through the security checkpoint and failed to adhere to commands of security personnel" at the main gate of the base about 9p.m. Sunday.
- "The 316th Security Forces Group immediately deployed the barriers and stopped the vehicle," the statement continued.
- "Two individuals fled the vehicle, and one was apprehended by 316th SFG. One individual remains at large. We can confirm that the individual who was apprehended had a weapon, but no shots have been fired."
- "There is not an active shooter situation at Joint Base Andrews," the statement added.
The big picture: Harris had flown back from Selma, Ala., after attending "Bloody Sunday" commemorations with several Cabinet members.
- The Cabinet members, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge; Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan also "left the base safely," a White House official said, per the Washington Post.
- Andrews' main gate was temporarily closed and base traffic was diverted to the Virginia Gate for several hours after the incident, but it reopened on Monday morning, according to a later statement from Andrews.
What to watch: "A full sweep of the base has been conducted and our Defenders, along with our local partners, found evidence that the base intruder departed the installation," the statement added.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with Andrews' statement on the main gate reopening and news of the full sweep of the base.
