A GUNMAN fired shots at the gate of an Area 51 air base in Nevada, cops said.
The unknown suspect opened fire at the main entrance of Nellis Air Force Base and was “behaving erratically” at around 12:30am on Wednesday, according to a base spokesperson.
8NEWS NOW/LAS VEGASShots were fired at the main gate of Nellis Air Force Base in Les Vegas[/caption]
8NEWS NOW/LAS VEGASThe base sits within the Nevada Test and Training Range – which also holds Area 51[/caption]
8NEWS NOW/LAS VEGASThe suspect was shot in the leg after reportedly aiming his weapon at security officers[/caption]
Security officers then “challenged the suspect” before he pointed the weapon at them, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said.
The alleged gunman was shot in the leg and taken to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Nellis Air Force Base’s main gate locked down in response, with officials announcing the entrance would be closed off “until further notice”.
Another side gate opened up to allow traffic in and out of the site.
There is no threat to the public and the investigation is ongoing, officials said.
Area 51 is a highly-classified Air Force facility located within the Nevada Test and Training Range, which is associated with the Nellis Air Force Base.
Both sites are used to test classified aircraft and weapons.
Nellis Air Force Base told 3 News: “A Nellis AFB Security Forces member shot and injured a civilian this morning near the main gate at approximately 12:30 a.m.
“Initial reports indicate the civilian was behaving erratically and initiated contact with multiple shots from a firearm.
“Air Force Security Forces and Las Vegas Metro Police responded to the incident.
“The investigation is ongoing. We have no further information at this time.”
Area 51 itself is located at Groom Lake – a dry lakebed in the desert around 85 north of Las Vegas.
Exactly what goes on inside is kept secret – and the surrounding area is guarded by warning signs, surveillance equipment and armed personell.
There is a no-fly restriction over the area, meaning it is illegal to fly aircraft above it.
However, the base can now be seen in a satellite images.
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