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.
EAST AURORA, N.Y. — Emergency crews responded to the Aurora Theatre at 673 Main Street in the Village of East Aurora on Sunday following a ceiling collapse inside the historic building while students and chaperones were present.
Officials said construction activity inside the two-story brick structure led to a portion of the ceiling giving way during a scheduled event.
At the time of the incident, approximately 68 students and adult chaperones were inside the theater.
First responders confirmed there was no entrapment and the collapse was limited in scope.
Emergency Medical Services evaluated six pediatric patients for minor injuries at the scene. No serious injuries were reported.
Fire and safety officials secured the area and conducted a structural assessment to ensure the remainder of the building was safe.
Authorities said the incident remains under review, including the circumstances surrounding the construction work that preceded the collapse.
Further information will be released as the investigation continues.