Large police response in D.C. after reports of an active shooter at Navy Yard

WASHINGTON (WJLA/AP) – An official says shots have been reported in a building on the Washington Navy Yard campus.

An official spokesperson for the Navy Yard said police are investigating a "potential incident" on the Navy Yard campus, but did not confirm whether a shooting occurred.

Navy spokesman Petty Officer 1st Class Pedro Rodriguez confirms the Navy Yard in D.C. is on lockdown and eEmployees have been told to shelter in place.

Rodriguez did not give information on injuries or other details Thursday morning.

It is is not clear where on the Navy Yard campus the shooting took place.

One person was inside the Navy Yard campus during the incident described the scene to reporters as "confusing" and said people were running around and headed toward the exits in an attempt to follow directions.

ABC 7 On Your Side reporter Jennifer Donelan says the initial report about the incident to police was for "sounds of gunshots." Sources also tell Donelan that Building 197 where the 2013 shooting occurred was evacuated.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Twitter early Thursday that she is monitoring reports about the shooting and plans to provide updates as they come in.

South Capitol St SE from M to I St SE/11th St SE from M St to Virginia Ave SE are closed due to the large police response.

Metro Transit Police confirm Metro is not affected at this time.

In September 2013, military contractor Aaron Alexis killed 12 civilian workers at the Navy Yard's Building 197 before he was fatally shot by police.

The Navy Yard, in southeast Washington, is the country's oldest naval installation.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS ALERT ABC 7 News will update this story as more information becomes available.