Two U.S. Coast Guard members shot dead at Alaska base

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Two U.S. Coast Guard members shot dead at Alaska base

2012-04-13 07:50:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

KODIAK ISLAND, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) -- Two members of the U.S. Coast Guard were found shot dead at a communications station on Kodiak Island off Alaska on Thursday, officials said, prompting a lockdown of the base and nearby schools.

A brief statement from the 17th District of the U.S. Coast Guard said two of its members were found shot dead at Coast Guard Communications Station Kodiak in Kodiak, the main city on Kodiak Island, which is separated from the Alaska mainland by the Shelikof Strait.

"It is possible that the suspect remains at large," said Captain Jesse Moore, commanding officer of Coast Guard Base Support Unit Kodiak. "Since we don't have all the details, we strongly advise that all Kodiak residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement officials."

Moore said the base and local schools remain on lockdown as a safety precaution until authorities have determined no threat exists. "We are deeply saddened that we lost two shipmates," he said. "This is a rare occurrence and we are going to do everything possible to ensure we find out exactly what happened."

The U.S. Coast Guard said it would release the names of the victims when next-of-kin notifications are complete. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our lost shipmates and we will provide all the necessary support and guidance they need as they grieve their loved ones," Moore said.

A spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is involved in the investigation, said there was no immediate indication that the shootings are related to terrorism.

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