Witness heard 'pop' as Pentagon shooting began

[March 06, 2010]  ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- A witness to a shooting outside the Pentagon says he heard a "pop" and hit the ground as a gunman exchanged fire with guards.

Dan Namisi tells The Associated Press he was heading to catch a bus when it happened. The next thing he knew officers had swarmed over him and handcuffed him. He says he was held for three hours and searched repeatedly but not asked many questions.

Two guards were injured in the shooting Thursday. The gunman, a California man with a history of mental illness, was shot to death.

Namisi doesn't know why he was swept up in a search for evidence, but says there were few people outside the Pentagon at the time. He says he might have attracted attention because he cut one of his hands when he dropped to the ground and it was bloody.

[Associated Press]

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