1 in custody after lockdown at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

TRENTON – Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was briefly placed on lockdown Tuesday morning after reports of an active shooter. One person has been taken into custody for the incident, officials say.

What we know:

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst issued a lockdown order just before 11 a.m. Tuesday. 

In a Facebook post, the base instructed those on campus to shelter-in-place. 

The McGuire and Fort Dix sections of the base were given the all-clear a short time later.

Officials lifted the lockdown just before noon.

In a press release shared after the lockdown was lifted, base officials said emergency crews responded to reports of an active shooter just before 11 a.m.

No active shooter threat was ultimately found and the base returned to normal operations just before noon.

 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Commander Col. Michael Stefanovic said their priority is “the safety and security of everyone on the installation.”

“We worked closely with local law enforcement and emergency responders to ensure the situation was investigated and resolved as quickly as possible,” he said.

In an update Tuesday evening, Alina Habba, the US Attorney for New Jersey announced a ‘civilian employee of the federal government’ is in custody for the false report of an active shooter.

Local perspective:

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is New Jersey’s largest military facility located 20 miles from Trenton and about 40 minutes from Philadelphia.