Pentagon identifies police officer killed in attack outside building

The police officer killed Tuesday morning in an attack at a bus platform outside the Pentagon was an Army veteran, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency revealed Wednesday.

Pentagon police officer George Gonzalez of Brooklyn, N.Y., described as “a die-hard Yankees fan,” joined the building’s force in July 2018 and was promoted twice, attaining the rank of senior officer in 2020.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency said Gonzalez “took our mission of ‘protecting those who protect our nation’ to heart,” and was gregarious, well-liked and respected by his fellow officers. 

Officials also said Gonzalez was an Army veteran and received a commendation medal for his service in Iraq. 

“Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others,” the force said in a statement. 

Officials have not publicly released the name of Gonzalez’s attacker, who also was killed in the violent incident that took place at 10:37 a.m. at the Pentagon Transit Center, located on the Pentagon’s east side.

Gonzalez was reportedly stabbed during a burst of violence, after which officers exchanged fire, killing the assailant and prompting a lockdown at the Pentagon.

Officials have not confirmed the circumstances surrounding the Gonzalez’s death and have released few details on the incident, citing an ongoing investigation. 

Pentagon Police Chief Woodrow Kusse told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that there were “several casualties” from the attack, the motive for which was under investigation by the FBI. He added that authorities were not seeking additional suspects and there was “no continuing threat to our community.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was at the White House at the time of the incident, later issued condolences and ordered flags at the Pentagon to be flown at half-staff to honor the officer. 

“This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in — and who visit — the Pentagon on a daily basis. He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave,” Austin said in a statement.