A man has been arrested after trying to climb the fence and break into White House grounds. A witness reported seeing US Secret Service agents swarm the scene before tackling the suspect to the ground.
The man allegedly jumped over a construction bollard near the Treasury Building before making a dash for the entrance gate. However, he was swifty intercepted by agents before being able to gain further access to the site. Police have confirmed that one person, whose identity has not been released, remains in custody while a second suffered minor injuries.
The incident unfolded at around 11.30am US time on Thursday (3.30pm UK). There was reportedly a “physical altercation” between the suspect and officers before an arrest was made.
Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service chief of communications, said in a statement to Newsweek: “Shortly after 11:30a.m., a man was quickly detained by uniformed U.S. Secret Service police officers after jumping over a construction bollard near the Treasury Building on the northeast side of the complex.
“Officers encountered the individual near a pedestrian gate, where he engaged in a physical altercation before being taken into custody. One officer sustained a laceration. Both the officer and the suspect underwent medical evaluation for non-life-threatening injuries.”
It comes after reports of gunfire near the White House earlier this month. The US Secret Service launched an investigation after shots were heard around Washington DC’s Lafayette Park on Sunday, April 5.
Although no suspect was located and no injuries were reported, the Secret Service confirmed a “heightened security posture” was put in place. A number of circulating roads were shut following the incident.
MORE UPDATES TO FOLLOW…
