NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The Pentagon officer killed Tuesday in a stabbing attack at a bus platform outside the defense building was identified as a U.S. military and police veteran from Brooklyn.
Officials said George Gonzalez was killed during the attack at the Metro bus station Tuesday morning. Authorities exchanged gunfire, killing the suspect, later identified as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia.
An Iraq War veteran, the Brooklyn native was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service and served as an officer with the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Pentagon said.
He joined the Pentagon Force Protection Agency in July 2018 and was promoted to a senior officer rank last year.
Gonzalez, a graduate of Canarsie High School in Brooklyn, was a "die-hard" Yankees fan. The agency said he was "well-liked," "gregarious"
and "respected by his fellow officers."
"Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others," the department said. "As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger."
Authorities have not determined a motive behind the attack, but said Tuesday following the incident that the FBI was investigating and that there's no continuing threat.