Gunman opens fire outside Nevada base that houses Area 51

A gunman opened fire at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada early Wednesday, authorities said. The unidentified suspect fired rounds at the base’s main gate around 12:30 a.m. in Las Vegas, prompting security personnel to respond. Air Force security officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who pointed his firearm at them. The gunman was struck in the leg and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a tourniquet was applied.

The base temporarily closed the main gate and redirected traffic through an alternate entry to alleviate congestion, officials said. The base did not provide an estimated time to reopen the main gate, and there was no threat to the public, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and Air Force officials. The investigation is ongoing.

Area 51 is located within the Nevada Test and Training Range under the jurisdiction of Nellis Air Force Base and is used to test classified weapons. Area 51 is a detached, secretive part of the broader military complex. The incident underscores the ongoing public interest surrounding the facility, though officials have not linked the shooting to any broader operation.

Nellis Air Force Base opened in April 1950 and was named for William Harrell Nellis, a U.S. fighter pilot who died in the line of duty after flying 70 World War II combat missions. It was originally named Las Vegas Air Force Base before his death. The base hosts a series of air combat exercises, including Red Flag and Green Flag-West, among others.