Navy Yard Workers & Loved Ones Speak To WJZ
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- The impact of the violence at the Navy Yard has been felt from Washington, D.C. to Maryland and beyond.
Meghan McCorkell has more on the panic felt by the people trapped inside the Navy Yard and their families.
As of 8:30 p.m., Navy officials said there were still about 2,000 people locked down at the Navy Yard. An FBI official has now confirmed all of those people were taken to Nationals Park to be reunited with their family.
Bus after bus filled with workers from the Washington Navy Yard arrived at Nationals Park.
"Really, really surprising to see this. Unbelievable," said Troy Cole.
Cole rushed to the stadium to find his fiancee, who was locked down inside her office for hours. He's still shocked a gunman got on campus.
"To get on base is difficult. You have to have ID and badges to get a vehicle on. And even to get into the buildings, it's even more difficult," Cole said.
Communication was difficult for some family members because some workers at the Navy Yard aren't allowed to carry cell phones.
"Most phones have a camera to 'em so they don't want them to have those types of phones on their jobs," said Jacqueline Alston.
Officials locked down the entire base around 8 a.m. Monday as the search for the shooter began. The first workers were evacuated in the afternoon.
Family members say their loved ones that worked at the Navy Yard weren't allowed to board the buses until they were interviewed by law enforcement.
Community leaders tried to provide support as workers reunite with their families.
"Helping people, that's our goal," said Father Andrew Royal.
The Navy will provide counseling to workers and the families affected by this tragedy.
Navy officials say that they are working with the FBI to determine when the facility will reopen and they thank the community for their support. They say that people who need counseling services should call 1-800-222-0364.
There is no estimate for when the reopening will happen.
