(CNN) — Pentagon police officer George Gonzalez died Tuesday after sustaining injuries during a violent incident outside of the Pentagon building, according to a release from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.
Gonzalez joined the Pentagon Force Protection Agency as a police officer in July 2018 and was “promoted twice and attained the rank of Senior Officer in 2020,” according to a release by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which oversees security at the Pentagon.
The exact circumstances of the incident that led to Gonzalez’s death are still unclear and Pentagon officials offered little clarity during a press briefing Tuesday afternoon. Speaking to reporters, Pentagon Force Protection Agency Chief Woodrow Kusse repeatedly declined to provide substantive details about what occurred.
A defense official familiar with the initial reports said the officer was stabbed by an assailant and other officers responded rapidly and shot the suspect.
Army and police veteran
Before joining the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Gonzalez worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Transportation Security Administration. He also served in the US Army, earning a Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq, the release said.
“Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others,” the release said.
Gonzalez, originally from Brooklyn, New York, was a “die-hard” Yankees fan and a graduate of New York City’s Canarsie High School, the release added.
“A gregarious officer, he was well-liked and respected by his fellow officers,” the release said. “Officer Gonzalez’s family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.”
Details of incident remain unclear
The Federal Bureau of Investigations is investigating the incident, but the number of people injured during the incident and the details of what occurred during the incident remain unclear a day later.
Kusse told reporters during a briefing on Tuesday that an officer was attacked on a bus platform outside of the Pentagon building.
“Gunfire was exchanged,” he said. Kusse acknowledged there were several injuries but did not say how many people were injured.
The “shooting event” occurred on the bus platform on the Pentagon complex and prompted a lockdown of the building with no personnel allowed outside, according to a message that was sent to the Pentagon workforce by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.
The Metro Bus platform is a major entrance to the Pentagon used by thousands of personnel every day entering and leaving the building and is used by multiple bus lines in the area.
The Pentagon Metro platform and Pentagon Metro stop entrance remained closed Wednesday morning as thousands of people who work inside the Pentagon came to work.
“Trains are bypassing Pentagon due to an on-going police investigation outside the station. Shuttle bus service is available,” a tweet from the WMATA Metrorail account said Wednesday morning.
