Security Guard Shoots Man With Knife Near Mount Vernon

(Updated 8:15 p.m.) MOUNT VERNON, VA—Police are on the scene of a shooting near Mount Vernon Thursday afternoon.

Authorities say a shooting happened at the Gum Springs Community Center in the 8100 block of Fordson Road.

Police received the report from the shooter, a security officer at the community center, a spokesperson said. The security guard approached a man at an adjacent baseball field and asked him to secure his two dogs, concerned that a nearby daycare was about to release children. The man was armed with a knife, police say.

The guard shot him one time when the "situation escalated." Police say the security guard felt threatened when he shot the man.

The man drove off, and the security guard relayed the car tag information to police. Police say they have located the the victim lying on the ground near a house at Joseph Makell Court.

The male victim was taken to the hospital with possible gunshot wounds. Residents were encouraged to avoid the area as police investigate but there is no threat to public safety.

Animal Control and the K9 team has secured the dogs. No charges have been placed yet. Stay with Patch as more updates are released.

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