Two US Coast Guard members were shot dead today at a communications base on Kodiak Island.
Anchorage Daily News reported:
U.S. Coast Guard officials say two Coast Guard members are dead in shootings at its communications station on Kodiak Island. Officials said Thursday it’s unclear if the deaths are a double homicide or murder-suicide.
“It is possible that the suspect remains at large,” Capt. Jesse Moore said in a written statement.
A school on Coast Guard property was placed on “lock-in” status, meaning students were not allowed to leave, at about 8:15 a.m., said Kodiak schools superintendent Stewart McDonald.
The district took similar measures at about five other area schools later in the day, he said. But at about 1 p.m., Alaska State Troopers told the district it was safe to release students from local classrooms.
McDonald said he had no additional information about the investigation and did not know if authorities were searching for a suspect.
“The troopers were saying that there was no need to have a lockdown or lock-in and we could release our kids on time,” he said.
Peterson Elementary, the school closest to the base, planned to keep students on site until the regular school day ended, the superintendent said.
The Coast Guard base was also on lockdown Thursday until authorities could ensure no threat exists, according to Coast Guard officials.
