Gunman shoots two Pentagon security officers

Two Pentagon security officers were wounded on Thursday when a gunman shot them at the entrance to the giant US defence department headquarters beside a commuter rail station, officials said.

The gunman, who was also shot and wounded, was apparently trying to gain entry to the building, Pentagon police chief Richard Keevill told reporters.

"He walked up very cool," Keevill said. "He had no real emotion on his face."

The Washington Post, citing two federal law enforcement sources, identified the shooting suspect as John Patrick Bedell, 36.

Instead of presenting a Pentagon pass, which is required to enter the defense department headquarters, the gunman pulled out a gun, Keevill said. Three Pentagon security officers exchanged fire with the suspect, and two were wounded.

The underground metro station is adjacent to the main entrance of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington.

The security officers' wounds did not appear to be life-threatening, Pentagon officials said in a statement, adding that the suspect was in custody but his condition was not known.

All entrances to the five-sided building were closed after the shooting at 6.40pm (2340 GMT) during the evening rush hour. The entrances were later reopened, except the one adjacent to the metro station.