Armed airman ends standoff at Colorado air base

Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs was evacuated Monday after a gunman barricaded himself inside.The armed airman is facing legal action and possible discharge, an official saysThe Air Force member had a gun and cell phone, and had been talking with authoritiesThe Colorado Springs air base is home to the 50th Space Wing

(CNN) -- An armed, active-duty Air Force member surrendered late Monday night after barricading himself inside a building on a Colorado air base, where he engaged in an hours-long standoff with authorities.

The unidentified 21-year-old airman gave up peacefully after hours of negotiations at about 8 p.m. and was being detained, base officials said.

"We are grateful for all our first responders in their professionalism that was critical to the peaceful resolution of this situation," said Col. James P. Ross, 50th Space Wing commander.

The airman -- who belongs to the base's 50th Security Forces Squadron -- locked himself around 10 a.m. inside a building where personnel get paperwork and equipment before being deployed, said Lt. Marie Denson, a spokeswoman at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.

Soon thereafter, that building and surrounding area was evacuated. Law enforcement units and other first responders from the Schriever base, nearby Peterson Air Force Base and the El Paso County, Colorado, Sheriff's Office SWAT team rushed to the scene, Lt. Col. Harold Hoang said.

The man was armed with a personal handgun, authorities said.

He also had his cell phone, which he had been using -- along with a land-line phone -- to communicate with military officials outside. Mental health professionals were also on site, Denson said.

The airman "is currently facing legal action in a civilian court as well as disciplinary action and possible discharge from the Air Force," Hoang said.

The base is also home to the Space Innovation and Development Center, the Missile Defense Agency, 310th Space Wing and other units and groups, according to its website.

CNN's Larry Shaughnessy contributed to this report.

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