Statement from NASA Administrator Michael Griffin
All of us at NASA are profoundly saddened by today's tragedy at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and all those touched by today's events.
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Statement from Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats
A tragedy struck our NASA family today.
While we don’t yet understand all that’s happened, our hearts and prayers go out to the families and coworkers who lost their loved ones today and to the survivor who endured a tragic ordeal.
Violence of this kind is always difficult to understand. In the days to come, you may find yourself experiencing a variety of physical or emotional reactions. If you’d like to talk with someone, there are resources to help you. Please call the Employee Assistance Program at ext. 36130.
As we learn more about this event and its causes, we’ll share that information as we can. In the meantime, please take this time to care for yourself and the people around you.
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Details of Shooting Incident at Johnson Space Center
Friday afternoon, Houston Police reported that a gunman and one other person died in a shooting incident at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Police had responded to an initial report of a person with a weapon at JSC's Building 44 at about 2:40 p.m. EDT. A police spokesman provided the following details at a 6:25 p.m. EDT briefing:
A SWAT Team entered the building after hearing a gunshot inside. Police didn't detail the exact time.
They found the gunman dead with a gunshot to his head. The body of one male hostage was also found. Police believe he was shot in the chest during the early minutes of this ordeal.
One female hostage was unharmed and is being looked at by paramedics. She had been duct taped on her feet and arms.
Police say they were never able to establish communication with the gunman.The weapon was a revolver. The identity of the hostages or gunman and what, if any, relationship existed between them is unknown.
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin is on the way to the center
Source: NASA/JSC - News