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Suspect in custody after reported shooting at White House Suspect in custody after reported shooting at White House
(35 minutes later)
A suspect is in custody after a shooting was reported at the White House on Friday afternoon. A suspect is in custody after a shooting was reported at a White House security checkpoint on Friday afternoon.
The secret service put the White House on lockdown immediately after the incident but that has since been lifted. Armed USSS agents have been observed in tactical positions on the White House roof.The secret service put the White House on lockdown immediately after the incident but that has since been lifted. Armed USSS agents have been observed in tactical positions on the White House roof.
Authorities have confirmed that one person was transported from the area to a Washington DC hospital in critical condition. A section of Pennsylvania Avenue, part of 17th Street and Lafayette Square remain closed to the public, cordoned off by yellow “authorized personnel only” tape. Onlookers are gathering and taking pictures, prompting occasional shouted warnings from the Secret Service to stay back.
A White House official said no one in or associated with the White House was injured and that everyone inside is safe and has been accounted for.
Authorities have confirmed that one person was transported from the area to George Washington University hospital in critical condition.
A US law enforcement official told Reuters the person was shot by a uniformed Secret Service officer. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authorization to release the information, said the person approached the Secret Service officer and drew a weapon, and then the officer opened fire.
The shooting was reported by the United States Park Police at 3.16pm.The shooting was reported by the United States Park Police at 3.16pm.
Police and ambulances were on the scene, according to media reports.Police and ambulances were on the scene, according to media reports.
Barack Obama was not at the White House at the time of the incident. Ranjit Singh, an alleged eyewitness who works near where the incident happened, said he saw “white guy” with a gun in his his right hand approaching police who were yelling at him to drop it.
Barack Obama was not at the White House at the time of the incident. The president had left earlier in the day for the golf course at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Officials have not said how or if Obama was secured after the secret service learned about the shooting incident. Obama has been made aware of the shooting.
Vice president Joe Biden was in the White House complex at the time and was secured during the lockdown, his office said.
Shooting on W. Executive Dr. PIO en route to 17th and PennsylvaniaShooting on W. Executive Dr. PIO en route to 17th and Pennsylvania
White House reporters are currently sequestered in the press briefing room and have not been allowed to go outside the West Wing to Pennsylvania Avenue. Veteran peace protester Philipos Melaku-Bello, 54, was outside the White House when the panic began. He estimates there were about 250 people and it was just before 3.20pm. “I knew from the immediacy in the Secret Service’s voice how dire it was,” he said.
“Some people were in a panic because when they hear the Secret Service shouting they know it’s serious. I’m a protester for world peace so it’s too close for comfort.”
Melaku-Bello said he has been demonstrating outside the White House for 34 years and evacuations of the public can take place 10 times a week, but ones with “this immediacy” only happen about 15 times a year.
The regular flow of tourists has been abruptly halted. Colleen McKearney, 29, visiting from Seattle, said: “We have no idea what’s happening. We were going to look at the White House. We’ll be patient and come back in a little bit.”
Reuters contributed to this report.Reuters contributed to this report.
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