Three Marines Killed In Quantico Shooting

Two marines were killed in a shooting by a fellow marine at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia Thursday night. The shooter, whose identity, like the victims, has yet to be revealed, killed himself after the shooting.

Police arrived on the scene within minutes, and after they discovered one dead body they soon surrounded the shooter, who was hiding in barracks with a woman. By the time police got into the barracks, a couple of hours later, the shooter had killed both the woman and himself.

The three Marines all worked in training positions for Quantico’s Officer Candidates School.

“On behalf of Marine Base Corp Quantico and the Officer Candidates School, I want to express my sincere condolences to the families, friends and of the three marines we lost [last] night,” Col. David W. Maxwell told reporters. “My thoughts and prayers are with them at this time."

George Little of the Pentagon spoke on behalf of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, saying Hagel was “saddened to learn of the shootings” and that the "tragedy, as well as the tragedy in Nevada earlier this week, took the lives of Marines who volunteered to serve their nation,” CNN reports. “His heart and his prayers are with them and their families. He believes that the legendary strength of the United States Marine Corps will ensure that they are forever remembered.”

Little was referring to the incident in Nevada in which seven marines died during a training exercise on Monday.

Quantico, which features a replica of the Iwo Jima Monument (pictured), remained on lockdown until early Friday morning, but has since returned to its usual functions. —Hal Sundt

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