White House locked down after fence-jumping intruder spotted, suspect in custody
The White House has been placed on lockdown after someone jumped a bike rack serving as a barrier on the north fence line along Pennsylvania Avenue, the US Secret Service has said. The suspect is in custody.
The incident occurred around 4:35pm local time.
Secret Service responding to an individual who jumped the bike rack along the North Fence Line of Penn Ave. Suspect in custody.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 16, 2017
Tourists and reporters were sent scurrying, according to NBC News’ Blayne Alexander.
Sudden scurrying outside #WhiteHouse. Tourists sent running toward 17th street. Secret Service suddenly appear, running. pic.twitter.com/CDiqH5fMIm
— Blayne Alexander (@ReporterBlayne) May 16, 2017
Journalists were moved from the live shot location outside the West Wing into the briefing room.
VIDEO: Secret Service agents running towards North fence of the White House pic.twitter.com/Y7c8uZPzSX
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) May 16, 2017
Security was heightened at the White House due to an earlier visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Protests greeted Erdogan outside the White House as he met inside with President Donald Trump. The Turkish leader had already departed the executive mansion when the incident occurred.
