Montana’s Malmstrom air base put on lockdown after active shooter report

BIG waterfalls, Mont. — An Air Force nuclear missile base in central Montana was placed on lockdown Thursday after a report of an active shooter, authorities said.

Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls announced the closure in a social media post.

Malmstrom officials are ordering people to stay away from a building where they say a “suspected real-world threat” was reported around 10:30 a.m.

The Great Falls Police Department said it was providing security and support in the area of ​​the base and nearby schools due to “an incident that may be occurring” at Malmstrom.

An advisory was announced to provide on-site shelter to schools in the surrounding community. Police recommended private schools and daycare centers to also provide shelter.

Malmstrom has approximately 4,000 active duty military and civilian personnel. It is one of three U.S. Air Force bases that maintain nuclear missiles, which are housed in silos across central Montana.