Before I left for lunch today, my cubicle neighbor mentioned that there was some sort of commotion outside the condos next door. I went outside to meet up with Angie and sure enough, I saw a guy clad in black, pointing what appeared to be an M-16 up at one of the condos. We went to a nearby deli for lunch and explored the neighborhood a while, then sat in the park across the street. By this time, a batallion chief for the county fire department had arrived and the sidewalk in front of the condos was being cordoned off. On my way back to work, I happened to pass by a security guard and overheard him talking. There’s evidently some sort of hostage situation in one of the condos.
M-16 rounds can go right through walls.
You should go home “sick”.
Now.
you could do what a traffic school “instructor” did -
when shots were fired, he stuck his head out the window to see what was going on…
(clever one, that one was)
I already used sick leave yestarday because I wasn’t feeling well, really. I wouldn’t want to do that two days in a row. Besides, the floor I’m on used to be a secure storage site for the US Navy. I don’t think anything’s going to go through these walls, short of a 120mm tank gun.
Where in Arlington is this, exactly? I’d like to know if I’ll need to navigate around any stray rounds on my way home.
That’s so funny, you must work right next door to me. We’ve been trying to figure out what all the FBI were doing in the parking garage. I’ve been on the local news stations looking for any confirmation that it was indeed a hostage situation. The apartments in question are just out my window. Although I am looking at the backside of the building and all the action is in the front. The parking areas all connect under the buildings, and so far I’ve seen at least one FBI guy, and two guys in riot gear walking around down there. It looks like they are trying to find all the ways in and out. I was just going to start a thread on this when I saw yours. I’m just glad it’s not another bomb scare. I didn’t want to stand around in the rain all afternoon. Always something around here.
I would avoid Crystal Drive, but anywhere else you should be fine.
I think they still have C. Drive blocked off.
Tabeitha, let me guess. Gateway 2? I’m in 4.
…though I’m in San Diego for a couple of weeks.
All of the bad stuff happens around us, doesn’t it? Our office manager was in a bank branch in Crystal City a few months back when it was held up. Very scary.
Please let us know if you find out anything else.
BWAAAAA!
COOLNESS! Gimme five minutes, and I’ll be right over with alla my gear. Wooooo! 
Tripler
Don’t believe me, eh? Got Malk?
When I got to work this morning, I overheard two of my coworkers discussing the situation. A guy had been holding a woman and child hostage somewhere in the upper floors of the Gateway condos; he reportedly killed himself sometime after I left yesterday.
Barricade Situation Ends Fatally
Posted - April 04, 2002 6:48am
Arlington, Va. (AP) - Arlington County police say an eleven-hour barricade situation in Crystal City ended with a man shooting himself fatally in the head.
Police say at about 10:40 a.m. Thursday officers went to check on an apartment at 1300 South Crystal Avenue after receiving a report that a man might hurt himself.
Negotiators tried to contact the subject throughout the day and early evening, but said they were unable to maintain regular communication.
At about 8:15 p.m. officers entered the apartment. Police say that as they searched the premises, the subject fired a single gunshot to his head. He was pronounced dead at George Washington Hospital.
Police say no shots were fired by officers during the incident.
Thanks for the update Mr. Moto. I’m always amazed that I can never find any mention in the Post, or on the local news channels when crap happens here.
Hey Jeff, that’s pretty good, yup I’m in 2!