BANGOR — The driver of a vehicle reportedly tried to enter Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor this morning, prompting a closure of the base.
A male in a black SUV entered the Trident vehicle inspection gate at 9 a.m. on Feb. 22. Lt. Robert Brazas of the Washington State Patrol said the individual was “trying to gain unauthorized access” to the base; the vehicle was stopped and the individual reportedly said he had an improvised explosive device with him and in his vehicle.
State Route 308 has been closed from State Route 3 to the base, Brazas said. The Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Naval Gate is also closed.
Kitsap County sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Scott Wilson advised residents living in the vicinity of the base to “shelter in place” or evacuate until further notice. Wilson also advised residents to “remain clear” and “stay away from windows.”
Brazas said he wanted to be cautious because the package inside the vehicle was estimated to have a potentially high blast radius.
According to Wilson, the security area boundaries are:
- West boundary — the fence line of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor that runs parallel to Clear Creek Road NW.
- East boundary — Highway 3 NW.
- North boundary — Closser Drive NW.
- South boundary — NW Skiff Lane.
Motorists were being stopped at the security area boundaries and asked by officers to turn around. At Clear Creek Road and Closser Drive, Sheriff’s Deputy Schon Montague let about 20 motorists through so they could pick up their children at home — schools were closed because of snow. He estimated there are 150 homes in the security area.
Dave Rasmussen of the county Department of Emergency Management advised residents, “If you reside in this area and have a personal emergency that is not life threatening, please call 360-307-5983.”
KOMO’s Air 4 and a KING 5 helicopter were hovering above the site, streaming live coverage of a remotely operated bomb robot approaching the suspect’s vehicle.
The Naval Criminal Investigation Service and FBI are among some the investigating agencies.
This story will continue to be updated as information becomes available.
