Guard shot and killed at U.S. Census Bureau headquarters
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A guard who was shot in the chest at the U.S. Census Bureau headquarters in Suitland, Maryland, died Thursday night, and police shot the suspect after a chase through Washington, D.C.
The gunman is described by authorities as being in his 30s or 40s, and police say he kidnapped his wife in D.C., before heading to the Census Bureau, NBC Washington reports. D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said the guard, identified as 59-year-old Lawrence Buckner, saw the suspect arguing with someone in his car, and was shot after he approached the vehicle. Police later spotted the gunman's Honda at 3rd and K streets in D.C., and after a pursuit, gunfire was exchanged between officers and the suspect. He was shot multiple times, and while his condition is unknown, his wife is safe, authorities say. One officer was shot in the leg during the confrontation and two others were also injured, but they did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
After the shooting at the Bureau, a statement released on Twitter confirmed that "there has been an incident at the Suitland Federal Center and there is an ongoing investigation. We are committed to the safety of all staff who work at the Census Bureau and are currently making sure that everyone is safe and secure."
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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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