Elected officials are questioning why Quantico Marine Corps Base didn't tell the public about an attempted security breach at its main gate on May 3, 2024.

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With an eye toward future political aspirations, Representative Abigail Spanberger (D) of Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is set to host a telephone town hall on Thursday, May 16, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

The town hall, a staple of political engagement for elected officials, comes following a security breach at Quantico Marine Corps Base, located within her district boundaries. On May 3, two men inside a box truck, claiming to work for Amazon, tried to run the gate and were stopped by military police, and turned over to ICE.

Spanberger did not respond to a request for comment following the incident.

Sources tell Potomac Local one of the men is on a U.S. terrorist watch list, and had crossed the southern border into the country just days before the incident. No one one was injured at Quantico. However, it comes after multiple, similar, deadly incidents at the White House and at other military installations in Virginia and California.

Spanberger, currently serving her second term in Congress, announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection to Congress. Instead, she has set her sights on the Virginia Governor’s mansion, with plans to run in the upcoming 2025 gubernatorial race.

Spanberger did not respond to a request for comment following the incident. On April 9, 2024, Potomac Local pressed Spanberger on whether or not, if elected governor in 2025, she would use the Virginia National Guard to assist Texas in securing the southern border. In response, she said the border is a federal issue, not a state issue, blamed House Republicans for not working with the president on his plan to secure the border, said “I’m working on it,” and jumped into an SUV and left the area.

In her announcement regarding the telephone town hall, Spanberger expressed her anticipation to engage with constituents, stating, “I look forward to hearing from you, answering your questions, and sharing updates about my work for Virginia.”

The telephone town hall offers multiple avenues for engagement for those interested in participating. Participants can dial in directly to the event at 833-380-0670 to listen live or pose questions directly to the congresswoman.

Additionally, for those preferring to watch the conversation unfold visually, Spanberger has provided online streaming options. The event can be viewed live at spanberger.house.gov/live or via her Facebook page.

Two people inside a box truck tried to force their way onto Quantico Marine Corps Base.

After being pressed by Potomac Local News, base officials today said that in the early morning hours of Friday, May 3, 2024, the two men drove a truck up to the base’s main gate on Fuller Road, just outside Dumfries, told guards that they were contractors for Amazon and were making a delivery to Quantico Town’s post office. The town is located inside the military base.

The men did not provide any approved access credentials, and police determined the vehicle had no affiliation with the base, so officers directed the truck to a holding area for standard vetting procedures. “One of the military police officers noticed the driver, ignoring the direct instructions of the officers, continued to move the vehicle past the holding area and attempted to access…Quantico,” said base spokesman Capt. Micheal Curtis.

Officers then used vehicle denial barriers, or roadblocks that were used to keep out cars, which prevented the two men from traveling further onto the base. The occupants were detained and eventually turned over to ICE, and no one was injured, said Curtis.

Multiple sources report one of the individuals inside the truck is a Jordanian foreign national who recently crossed the southern border into the U.S., and that one of the occupants is on the U.S. terrorist watch list. Quantico did not confirm this information.

Potomac Local News requested more information from ICE, and we’ll update this post as soon as we receive it.

Sources also tell us security on the base has been heightened since the incident, and that a mass email was sent to base personnel urging them to be on high alert.

The Quantico incident mirrors others at military installations across the U.S. and the White House, which have raised concerns about security protocols and the safety of personnel following three separate incidents involving unauthorized vehicle access.

Two days after the incident at Quantico, a vehicle crashed into an outer perimeter gate of the White House in Washington, D.C., resulting in the death of the driver. President Joe Biden, who was away for the weekend in Delaware, was not present during the incident, and the Secret Service confirmed that there was no threat to the White House.

The driver, a male whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was found deceased in the vehicle following the crash, which took place shortly before 10:30 p.m.

The Secret Service promptly enacted security measures, assuring the public that there was no immediate threat to the White House. Both the Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incident to determine its cause and any underlying factors.

Tragedy struck at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story in Virginia on Sunday, April 28, when a driver attempted to breach security protocols at the installation’s gate and crashed into a hydraulic barricade. Despite attempts by the base’s fire company to extinguish the resulting fire, the driver succumbed to the crash. According to a public affairs officer, the vehicle disregarded security checks and barreled through the gate at high speed.

On April 3, at Naval Base San Diego, an internal security vehicle triggered chaos at the Norman Scott Gate. The unmarked vehicle, belonging to the base’s security team, breached the gate without stopping, prompting the activation of emergency barricades. The ensuing collision injured three occupants, including two civilian officers and one active-duty military member.

On March 27, 2024, at Twentynine Palms, California, a Chinese national made a brazen attempt to gain access to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Despite being informed by military police that he lacked authorization, the individual proceeded past gate guards, prompting immediate intervention by law enforcement. The suspect was swiftly detained and transferred to Customs and Border Patrol custody. 

Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!

Fire and rescue crews are on the scene of a brush fire on Interstate 95 near Quantico.

As you can see from the photos above, taken from VDOT cameras, smoke is billowing from the forested areas on the southbound side of the highway, near milepost 148, Quantico Marine Corps Base’s back gate.

At least two lanes of I-95 South are blocked by the fire scene, resulting in more than four miles of backups.

I-95 SOUTHBOUND: Expect delays approaching exit 148 (Quantico) near Stafford and Prince William county line for a brush fire. 2 I-95 southbound lanes remain open. Congestion begins 4+ miles approaching scene. @VaDOTNOVA @VaDOT @MCB_Quantico pic.twitter.com/WvJqlFFhnY

— VDOT Fredericksburg (@VaDOTFRED) April 15, 2024

More as we have it.

Last month, brush fires in the same areas forced the closure of Route 1 and snarled traffic for those trying to exit Quantico Marine Corps Base. Some base staffers were trapped on base for three to four hours.

Authorities said a woman was severely injured while walking along Interstate 95 near Quantico.

State police tell us:

Virginia State Police is investigating a crash involving a pedestrian and two vehicles which occurred at 8:45 a.m. Monday (April 1, 2024) on Interstate 95 southbound at the 148-mile marker in Prince William County.

A 2012 Freightliner Cascadia truck was traveling southbound on I-95 when it was unable to avoid a pedestrian in the travel lanes. The Cascadia was then struck in the rear by 2023 Ram 3500.

The pedestrian, a 66-year-old woman of Falls Church, suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital and then flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond.

Neither driver was injured in the crash. Both were wearing their seatbelts.

The crash remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old Woodbridge man was injured in a crash on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Virginia State Police is investigating two separate crashes that occurred Sunday (March 31, 2024) at 3:38 a.m. on the Interstate 66 Express Lanes (westbound) at the 56-mile marker in Fairfax County.

The first crash occurred when a 2019 Toyota C-HR lost control on Interstate 66 westbound, struck the right guardrail, overturned into the lanes of travel, and then ended up in the I-66 westbound express lanes. The vehicle also lost power.

Following that crash, a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, traveling westbound in the express lanes, was unable to avoid the C-HR, and struck the C-HR in the rear. The Range Rover then overturned twice into the median.

A passenger in the Range Rover, My Doan, 43, was ejected and suffered serious injuries. She was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Range Rover, George Davis III, 48, of Woodbridge, Va., and a second passenger, Shamal Taylor, 40, suffered minor injuries. Taylor was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the C-HR, Jose G. Mendoza, 32, of Falls Church, Va., suffered minor injuries. Mendoza has been charged with driving under the Influence (first offense).

The crash remains under investigation.

Prince William County fire officials say all brush fires have been extinguished.

Firefighters responded to 39 brush fires across the county on Wednesday, March 2024, including blazes in Dale City, Locust Shade Park near Quantico, and Nokesville.

The fires closed Route 1, causing significant delays for those trying to exit Quantico Marine Corps Base. The road reopened about 9 p.m.

No injuries were reported, and the fires damaged no structures. Crews will return to the scene of the fires today to clean up and put out any hot spots. The fire locations were heavily wooded, making it difficult to extinguish the flames fully.

Prince William fire and rescue Assistant Chief Matt Smolksy:

There are no active fires in the County as of 8:00 AM this morning.

Crews were in position to keep an eye on the Locust Shade fire during the night hours. This morning, units went back to the scene to extinguish hot spots. We will continue to monitor the site today and conduct additional clean up activities as needed. The area involved can be described as heavily wooded with deep ground cover making it extremely difficult to fully extinguish. Smoke and the smell of smoke will most likely linger in the area for some time. There is no threat to any structures or residents in the area.

The weather is predicted to be slightly better today. The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for elevated fire weather conditions across the entire region through this evening. The biggest factor that will help is the prediction of weaker winds today, but other conditions will continue to dry fine fuels (vegetation). However, rain is on the way being forecasted for Friday evening into Saturday.

A rainy Friday and Saturday are in store; rain could sometimes be heavy.

On Friday, expect rain, mainly after 8 p.m., with as much as half and three-quarters of an inch possible. On Saturday, expect rain again and a high temperature of nearly 58 degrees.

Quantico Mayor Kevin Brown says the Marine Corps base in which his town sits will not open a closed gate that would provide emergency crews easier access to the town while brush fires rage and traffic remains snarled for five miles.

Brown said he placed multiple requests to Quantico Marine Corps Base officials to open a gate on Broadway Street. Brown said the additional access would make it easier for fire and rescue crews to access the town in an emergency.

Brown’s request was met with a “no,” and military police officers laughed at him on the phone, he said. Meanwhile, he’s still working to escalate his request higher up in the Marine Corps command chain.

The requests come as a line of cars stretches from Hosptial Point through town and up the nearly five-mile stretch of Russell Road to the base’s main gate near Dumfries.

A series of brush fires closed a portion of Route 1. Emergency crews are working to douse the flames. Drivers stuck in the backup have been texting us information and photos of what they see to 571-989-1695.

Quantico erected the gate at Broadway Street in 2020, following heightened base security rules following the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on January 2, 2020.

Brown said Quantico opened the gate this past weekend, March 16 and 17, to allow work on the railroad to commence. The gate was closed again on the evening of March 17.

For at least two years, Brown and members of his town council have petitioned to relax those restrictions and open the Broadway gate. Brown says trains often block the town’s main entrance at Potomac Avenue, preventing anyone, including emergency vehicles, from entering or exiting.

Earlier this month, Insidenova.com reported that a Montclair resident has filed a complaint in federal court against the Department of the Navy, alleging constitutional violations in restrictions on access to the town of Quantico.

Jennifer Nikolaisen claims the Navy-Marine Corps Installation Commander’s Interim Access Control Policy has caused a violation of First and Fifth Amendment rights by restricting access to the use of Fuller Road, which is the primary point of access to and from the town of Quantico, where Nikolaisen owns private property.

Insidenova.com: A Montclair resident has filed a complaint in federal court against the Department of the Navy alleging constitutional violations in restrictions of access to the town of Quantico…In 2020, the base issued a new Interim Access Control Policy that presented new requirements for using Fuller Road access to the town of Quantico.

I-95 Northbound and Southbound: Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closures on both I-95 northbound and southbound starting at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. between mile markers 125-126 for bridge work. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Construction of a new overpass of I-95 at Route 17 (Mills Drive).

I-95 Northbound: Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alternating lane closures for paving on I-95 northbound in the through travel lanes and local travel lanes between exits 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg and exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) in Stafford.

• Exit 140 (Stafford) to 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville): Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile 142 for sign work. 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.

I-95 Southbound: Exit 148 (Quantico): Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 147-146 beginning at 9 p.m. followed by a double lane closure at 10 p.m. All lanes reopen by 4:30 a.m. on weekdays. On Friday night, single lane closure only begins at 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

• Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Monday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 139-138. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 133 (Route 17) Off-Ramp Closure: Monday – Friday, Midnight – 3 a.m. I-95 southbound off-ramp to Route 17 northbound toward Warrenton will close each evening. Signs will guide drivers along the detour route.

City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County: Chatham Bridge (Route 3 Business): Tuesday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Single lane closures on the Chatham Bridge over the Rappahannock River, which carries Route 3 Business traffic between the City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County. Routine, scheduled bridge inspection.

Spotsylvania County: Houser Drive Park and Ride Lot: Starting Monday, March 4, the Park and Ride commuter lot on Houser Drive, near the Route 208 (Courthouse Road) intersection, will be closed through Tuesday, March 19, weather permitting, for resurfacing of the lot and the painting of new pavement markings. To find an alternative Park and Ride lot location during the temporary closure, visit the VDOT Park and Ride interactive map.

• Route 617 (Hams Ford Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between Morris Road and Ford Road for resurfacing.
• Route 621 (Orange Plank Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Route 3 and the Orange County line. Road shoulder repairs. One-way, alternating traffic.
• Route 645 (Sunset Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between Morris Road and Hams Ford Road for resurfacing.
• Route 655 (Ridge Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between Courthouse Road and Hams Ford Road for resurfacing.
• I-95 Southbound Exit 126 Off-Ramp and Route 1 Southbound: A second right turn lane is under construction from the I-95 southbound off-ramp at exit 126 onto Route 1 southbound. Route 1 southbound is being widened from the off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway with an additional turn lane. A second right turn lane is being added from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway. Traffic islands will be installed along Southpoint Parkway as a safety improvement to allow left turns into driveways but restrict through and left-turning traffic exiting from side streets. Additional right turn lane added to Southpoint Parkway to Route 1 southbound. Project completion in Aug. 2025.
• Route 3 and Orange Plank Road: Utility relocation is underway ahead of construction to modify the intersection of Route 3 and Orange Plank Rd. to a new traffic pattern to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce conflict points. Project completion in spring 2024.
• Route 17 (Mills Drive) Overpass Replacement and Widening: Construction started in Dec. 2020 to replace the existing two-lane interstate overpass on Route 17 with a four-lane bridge. Route 17 is being widened to four lanes until just east of the Hospital Boulevard/Germanna Point Drive intersection. A shared-use path, sidewalk, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be added as part of the project. Project completion was scheduled for late Feb. 2024. The project is now anticipated to be completed in May 2024.
• Route 208 (Courthouse Road) and Hood Drive: Hood Drive is reduced to a single lane between Route 1 and Route 208 (Courthouse Road), carrying only northbound traffic. Southbound traffic should follow the posted detour along Courthouse Road and Route 1 southbound. New right and left turn lanes are under construction at an entrance to a future U.S. Veterans Health Administration outpatient clinic. Additional turn lanes will be built on northbound Hood Drive approaching Courthouse Road. A raised median on Hood Drive will separate northbound and southbound traffic between Courthouse Road and McGowan Drive. Additional sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be installed at the intersection. Project completion in July 2024.
• Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening: Mudd Tavern Road is being widened to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1. A new secondary access route, Route 2092, will be built parallel to Mudd Tavern Road, and will connect with South Roxbury Mill Road and Dan Bell Lane. Project completion in May 2025.

Stafford County: Route 1 Southbound: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Single lane closure between Little Forest Church Road and Woodstock Lane. Utility work under permit. This work will be underway at this location on weekdays through early April 2024.

• Route 17 at Sanford Drive/South Gateway Drive: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Single lane closures at the intersection for construction of curb and median as part of the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.
• Route 17 Northbound: Sunday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 northbound between Short Street and Sanford Drive for construction for construction of curb and median, and installation of traffic signal equipment. Construction for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.
• Route 17 Southbound: Sunday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 southbound between Short Street and Sanford Drive for construction of curb and median, and installation of traffic signal equipment. Construction for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.
• Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guardrail repair. Single lane closure near the intersection with Route 734 (Eley Road).
• Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) Westbound: Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on the Route 610 westbound bridge over I-95 for maintenance.
• Route 616 (Poplar Road) OVERNIGHT DETOUR: Sunday – Thursday, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. Poplar Road will close to through traffic overnight between Route 627 (Mountain View Road) and Route 648 (Stefaniga Road). Signs will guide motorists along the recommended detour route, which is Mountain View Road and Stefaniga Road. Drainage pipe replacement. Work has been scheduled weather permitting. Access to residential driveways along the closed sections of Poplar Road will be maintained at all times.
• Route 626 (Leeland Road) over CSX Railroad: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Single lane closure on Leeland Road at the bridge over the CSX railroad, located just north of the Virginia Railway Express Leeland Road station entrance. One-way, alternating traffic for bridge maintenance.
• Route 630 (Courthouse Road) Westbound: Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure. Guardrail removal and installation near Rehoboth Drive intersection.

—Virginia Department of Transportation