FBI agent kills Army veteran outside MacDill Air Force Base in Florida

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Tampa, Fla. -- An Army veteran who sped away from MacDill Air Force Base security on a motorcycle was fatally shot Wednesday by an FBI agent after the man threatened him with a knife, officials said.

About 6 p.m., base security was called to an altercation at a camping area inside the base, said Col. Larry Martin, the base commander.

The veteran, who was described as a guest at the camping area, was arguing with another person, but officials wouldn’t identify either.

‘We don’t have a lot of details about what went on in that altercation,’ Martin said.

The veteran sped away on his motorcycle and security tried to stop him, Martin said. He evaded authorities and drove to the Dale Mabry Gate, one of the main entrances and exits to the base. Law enforcement officials tried to stop him, and the man got off his motorcycle. He came ‘directly at’ the agent with a knife, said FBI special agent Dave Couvertier. The agent shot more than once, killing the veteran, Couvertier said.

‘This individual who was shot approached law enforcement officers, specifically looking at the agent and threatening him with a knife,’ Couvertier said.

Officials said the agent is a liaison officer to the base and was assisting MacDill officers.

No one else was injured. The Air Force did not release the name of the victim or the FBI agent.

‘Our security forces personnel acted promptly to safeguard the base and its personnel,’ Martin said.

The base was not under lockdown, but the Dale Mabry Gate remained closed. The RV camping area is used only by people with base access.

MacDill, located south of downtown Tampa, is home to U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia.

-- Associated Press