Gunshots fired at Pentagon

GUNSHOTS struck the Pentagon early yesterday but failed to penetrate the building, officials said, as police investigated the source of the gunfire.

Pentagon police officers heard about four or five gunshots about 4.55am fired near the south parking lot of the sprawling Defence Department headquarters, officials said.

Authorities briefly closed the building and surrounding parking lots to search the area and then reopened the Pentagon’s entrances by 5.40am, Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters.

The Pentagon introduced tighter security after a gunman in March walked up to the main entrance at rush hour and opened fire, wounding two police officers before he was shot dead by return fire.