Man Shot and Killed at Naval Air Station After Busting Through Gate

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Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Jason Kucera/Navy
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Jason Kucera/Navy

A man was shot and killed at a Texas Navy base Thursday morning after he attempted to smash through a security gate there and later charged security personnel on foot.

Emergency personnel responded to a security incident at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi around 7:30 a.m., when the man attempted to speed past and evade security at the air station's north gate.

The driver crashed into a barrier and then exited his vehicle when it caught fire, according to a news release from base officials. He then charged security-force personnel, who "fired shots in response," the release states.

"The individual was shot and received medical treatment, but was later pronounced deceased," according to the release.

The air station has resumed normal operations, and there is no security threat to those on or near the base, said Bill Dougherty, a spokesman for Navy Region Southeast.

The base's north gate remains closed until further notice. Personnel and visitors are told to expect delays at the station's south entrance.

Dougherty declined to say whether the security personnel who fired the shots were uniformed sailors since the incident remains under investigation.

Officials with Naval Criminal Investigative Service are on the scene, he added.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

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