HONOLULU (REUTERS, AFP, AP) - Two people have died after a shooting at the historic military base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, on Wednesday (Dec 4), military officials said.
The shooting at the naval shipyard within the base came just days before thousands were scheduled to gather at the storied military base to mark the 78th anniversary of the Japanese bombing that launched the US into World War II.
A third victim is in stable condition after being hospitalised, while the shooter, a US Navy sailor, also died from "an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound", the officials said in a press briefing.
A statement issued by the Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam said the shooting took place at around 2.30pm, prompting a lockdown of the facility for more than an hour.
The base was formed by the merger of Pearl Harbour Naval Station and Hickam Air Force Base.
"I can confirm that there were three shooting victims. We have confirmed that two are deceased, one is in stable condition in a local hospital," said Rear Admiral Robert Chadwick.
He said that the shooter - "tentatively" identified as a sailor assigned to the USS Columbia, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine - had also died after "an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."
It wasn't immediately known what type of weapon was used or how many shots were fired. Personal weapons are not allowed on base.
"Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and everyone involved. I can say that we are mobilising support services for naval shipyard personnel as well as everyone else who may be affected by this tragic event," Chadwick said.
Chadwick added that the service would evaluate whether security would need to be upgraded ahead of the annual memorial ceremony.
Officials said the Navy was leading the investigation into the shooting to determine what prompted it.
"The names of the victims will not be released until the next of kin have been notified," the base said in a tweet.
Hawaii Governor David Ige said the White House had contacted him to offer assistance from federal agencies as needed.
"I join in solidarity with the people of Hawaii as we express our heartbreak over this tragedy and concern for those affected by the shooting," Mr Ige said on Twitter.
"Details are still emerging as security forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam investigate."
A White House spokesman said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting and "continues to monitor the situation".
A witness told local media he was sitting at his computer when he heard shots fired and saw three people on the ground.
The witness, who did not want to be identified, said he then saw the gunman, who was wearing what appeared to be a navy or sailor's uniform, shoot himself in the head.
Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam is located 13km from Honolulu.
The shipyard repairs, maintains and modernises the ships and submarines of the US Pacific Fleet, which is headquartered at Pearl Harbor. The base is the home port for 10 destroyers and 15 submarines. It also hosts Air Force units.
Mass shootings and gun violence are rare in Hawaii.
The worst shooting in history took place just over 20 years ago, when a Xerox employee killed seven of his colleagues.
Hawaii had the lowest gun death rate among the states in 2017, according to the Giffords Law Centre to Prevent Gun Violence. The islands have strict firearms laws, including a ban on assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines.
