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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 a White House security checkpoint 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.
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 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. The Secret Service is confirming a police involved shooting near the @WhiteHouse complex. All Secret Service protectees are safe.
A White House official said no one in or associated with the White House was injured and that everyone inside was safe and had been accounted for.
Authorities have confirmed that one person was transported from the area to George Washington University hospital in critical condition.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.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.
Ranjit Singh, an alleged eyewitness who works near where the incident happened, said he saw “white guy” with a gun in his right hand approaching police who were yelling at him to drop it.
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.
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.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.Vice president Joe Biden was in the White House complex at the time and was secured during the lockdown, his office said.
First lady Michelle Obama was wrapping up a speech in downtown Washington at midday on Friday. Her office would not say where she and the Obama daughters were at the time.
Shooting on W. Executive Dr. PIO en route to 17th and PennsylvaniaShooting on W. Executive Dr. PIO en route to 17th and Pennsylvania
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.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.”“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.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.”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. Jason Wilson, 45, was queuing for entry to the White House, where he and around 60 other people were due to receive awards for volunteer service, when he heard a gunshot.
More details soon ... “I thought it was a tyre on a truck that exploded,” he recalled. “Then I looked at my friend and said, ‘Could that have been a gunshot?’ Then the Secret Service said, ‘Move! Move!’ They were prompt.”
Wilson, founder and chief executive the NGO The Yunion, added: “Of course at the back of your mind you think ‘Could it be a terrorist attack?’ but we were all calm. I’m from Detroit. Just stay calm. What’s there to be scared of?”
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report