WASHINGTON: A phone call to police emergency 911 caused a massive security operation in the US capital on Thursday, which involved at least seven federal and local agencies.

At 7:29am, the police emergency received a call, saying that gunshots had been heard at the Washington Navy Yard. The response was swift and massive. Within minutes the entire area looked like a battle zone.

Dozens of security vehicles rushed to the site, with their sirens blaring. They brought scores of officers from Naval Security, DC Metropolitan Police, US Capitol Police, Park Police, US Marshal Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI.

Dozens of ambulances and fire engines also joined the security force, ready to provide emergency aid.

A helicopter circled overhead and tactical teams scrambled onto rooftops and sealed a six-square block perimeter.

Later, law enforcement officers reminded journalist that this was the site of a mass shooting on Sept. 16, 2013, when a lone gunman, Aaron Alexis, killed 12 people and injured three others at this place.

Earlier this week, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a joint bulletin alerting people to the “heightened threat of attack by ISIL and its supporters” ahead of Fourth of July, the American Independence Day.

The two factors combined to cause a massive security response.

“It was a clear, coordinated and convincing response to this incident,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser while justifying the response that caused panic across Washington and alerted the entire nation.

The security cordon around the Navy Yard was lifted only after authorities confirmed that it was a false alarm.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2015

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