Local News
Training Exercise Mistaken for Shooting at Air Force Plant 42
UPDATE: Officials confirmed there was no active threat and said the earlier reports of a shooting were linked to a scheduled training exercise.
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA — Authorities responded to reports of an active shooter situation at Air Force Plant 42, a high-security aerospace facility, prompting a full lockdown of the site.
According to emergency dispatch logs and scanner traffic, the first reports of possible gunfire were received at approximately 1:20 p.m. EST.
Security forces from the base, along with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and federal agents, immediately converged on the area to secure the perimeter and assess the situation.
Two individuals were reported wounded. Both were treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel before being transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not yet been disclosed, though no fatalities have been confirmed.
The facility remains under full lockdown, with all personnel instructed to shelter in place as law enforcement continues a systematic search of the premises.
Air Force Plant 42 spans more than 5,800 acres in Palmdale and serves as a critical hub for the U.S. aerospace and defense industry.
The installation supports operations involving B-2 Spirit bombers, B-21 Raider stealth aircraft, RQ-4 Global Hawks, and other classified aviation programs.
The site is home to major defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, employing more than 8,500 personnel daily across multiple secure facilities.
As of this update, officials have not confirmed whether a suspect has been detained or if the gunfire originated on or near the base property.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) are jointly handling the investigation.
Residents and nearby businesses have been advised to avoid the area until the lockdown is lifted and further notice is provided.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as the situation develops.
Volusia County, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in the Indian River during a weekend camping and fishing trip, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the teen as Hunter McKelvin of Paisley. Deputies said he was discovered face-down in the water Saturday morning near a small island east of Maynard May Park in Edgewater.
Members of the group located the teen and immediately began CPR before transporting him by boat to Maynard May Park.
Upon arrival, officers with the Edgewater Police Department and other emergency responders took over life-saving efforts.
McKelvin was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased later that morning.
Investigators reported that no visible injuries were observed, and there were no immediate signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances during the initial investigation.
An autopsy has been scheduled as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.