Police in Washington have reported 12 deaths so far in the Navy Yard shooting that began earlier Monday morning, according to The Chicago Tribune.
At least two gunmen, possibly three, opened fire at Building 197 -- the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command -- just over two miles from the White House. Officials said there is no known motive.
Witnesses described the shooters as one black male and one white male, both dressed in military-style clothing. According to multiple reports, one of the shooters is dead.
Reuters reported that police previously declined to give a specific number of fatalities, saying there were "multiple victims deceased inside." Two members of law enforcement are among the list of injured people.
Patricia Ward, an employee at the Navy Yard, described the chaotic scene that began at 8:36 a.m.
"There was three gunshots straight in a row," said Ward, who was in the middle of eating breakfast in the headquarters. Security guards yelled "'Run, run, run,' they told people," shortly after shots were fired.
Before delivering a speech to mark the 5th anniversary of the financial crisis, President Obama reassured the public that justice would be served for the "cowardly acts" of violence.
"We still don't know all the the facts, but we do know several people have been shot and some have been killed," Obama said. "We're confronting yet another mass shooting and today it happened on a military installation in our nation's capital. It's a shooting that targeted our military and civilian personnel.
"These are men and women who were going to work doing their jobs and protecting of all of us," he added. "They're patriots. They know the the dangers of serving abroad, but today they faced the unimaginable violence that they wouldn't have expected here at home."
A "shelter in place" order was issued to personnel at the Navy Yard immediately after the shooting. The entrance to the Navy Yard metro station was remained open but the 11th St Bridge, as well as M St SE between 2nd and 4th streets SE, were immediately closed. In addition, Tyler Elementary School on 10th and G streets was placed on lockdown.
Police on Capitol Hill confirmed security was enhanced but are not under an immediate threat.
