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.
Local News
Autumn Mullins, 28, Killed in Single-Vehicle Truck Crash Near Exit 24 in Pikeville, Kentucky
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A heartbreaking tragedy has claimed the life of a 28-year-old woman from Virgie, Kentucky, following a devastating single-vehicle truck crash near Exit 24 in Pike County on Monday morning. 💔🕊️😢
The victim was identified by authorities as Autumn Mullins, 28, of Virgie, Kentucky. Her sudden death has left family members, friends, and loved ones grieving the loss of a young woman whose life ended far too soon.
According to authorities, the crash occurred Monday morning near the Exit 24 underpass in Pikeville, where Autumn’s truck reportedly left the roadway and struck the Cedar Creek Bridge.
Pikeville police officers responded to the scene after receiving a 911 emergency call. Emergency crews arrived and discovered that the collision had resulted in a fatality. The Pike County Coroner’s Office subsequently confirmed Autumn’s death.
Authorities reported that Autumn was the only occupant inside the truck. Sadly, she died as a result of the collision.
Pikeville Police Captain Chad Branham provided a preliminary description of the events leading up to the fatal collision.
According to Capt. Branham, the truck was traveling near Exit 24 when it reportedly left the roadway, struck a metal pole, traveled up a small hillside, and eventually collided with the Cedar Creek Bridge.
He explained:
“It appears to us that the driver just went off of the roadway, lost control, traveled up the hill and coming in contact with the Cedar Creek Bridge.”
Although investigators have provided an initial account of the vehicle’s path, the exact circumstances that caused Autumn to leave the roadway remain unknown.
Because the incident resulted in a fatality, investigators called in the department’s crash reconstruction unit to examine the scene and determine what may have contributed to the collision.
The newly established Advanced Reconstruction Team also assisted with the investigation. The team includes personnel from the Pikeville Police Department, Prestonsburg Police Department, and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities indicated that this was among the team’s first collaborative efforts, bringing together investigators from multiple agencies to examine the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
A toxicology report remains pending and may provide additional information as investigators work to establish a clearer understanding of the incident.
Police also stated that the crash is not being investigated as a criminal matter, noting that Autumn was the only person inside the vehicle.
The fatal crash also affected motorists traveling through the area.
Authorities issued a warning for drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 23 near the Exit 24 bridge, urging them to slow down and proceed with caution while emergency personnel and investigators worked at the scene.
The investigation continued as officials examined the roadway and gathered information about the circumstances surrounding the collision.
At just 28 years old, Autumn Mullins had her whole life ahead of her. Her sudden passing is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can change and how deeply a tragic accident can affect an entire family.
Behind the official reports and crash investigation is a family now facing the unimaginable pain of losing someone they loved. Friends and loved ones are left mourning her absence and holding on to the memories they shared with her.
While investigators continue working to determine what caused the truck to leave the roadway, those closest to Autumn must navigate the difficult days ahead without her.
Her death has left a painful void in the lives of the people who knew and cared for her.
Please keep Autumn Mullins’ family, friends, and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they face this devastating loss. May they find strength, comfort, and support during this difficult time.
May Autumn Mullins rest in beautiful, peaceful, eternal peace. 🕊️🤍