White House on lockdown after man crashes car into barricades
An image shared on social media shows a vehicle stationary by a set of security barricades near the White House - and the area is believed to be on lockdown while police investigate
A man has plowed his vehicle into the barricades of the White House estate, sparking a lockdown.
The incident, which occurred around 10.30pm on Tuesday night (3.30am Wednesday in the UK), is currently under investigation by police. A photo circulating on social media shows a car halted at a set of security barriers near Donald Trump's residence.
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of a man and are now assessing the vehicle involved. No additional information about the suspect, including his age or origin, has been released as of yet. Members of the Secret Service have been seen near the White House in the aftermath of the breach.
Some are seen with guns as they patrol the residency parameters.
"At approximately 10.37pm, an individual drove a vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate located at 17th & E St, NW, in Washington, DC. The individual was arrested & the vehicle was assessed and deemed safe. Our investigation into the cause of this collision is ongoing," the police spokesperson has said, reports the Mirror.
The security breach happened just south of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to the southwest of the White House.
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, part of the White House, is a prominent government building.
The collision has led to a complete lockdown of the immediate area around the checkpoint, impacting traffic and access in the northwest region of Washington DC, near the presidential complex.
But authorities have reminded locals the driver of the vehicle was promptly taken into custody at the scene of the collision.
Investigators searched his car and deemed it to be safe, Secret Service officials said in a statement.
Authorities did not immediately provide any additional information about the crash, the driver’s identity or any potential motivation.
One Washington resident posted on X: "This is no small deal—looks like the security measures held firm, though.
"Hope everyone’s safe, and it’ll be interesting to see what unfolds with the investigation."
Others have urged people to "keep safe" amid the lockdown.
Last year, a driver died after crashing a vehicle into the White House perimeter gate.
The fatal collision was being investigated as a "traffic crash" and there was no threat to the president's residence according to local law enforcement at the time. The male driver was found dead inside the vehicle at an outer perimeter gate of the White House at around 10:30pm on Saturday May 4, 2024.
The Washington Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the crash took place at the security barrier at the intersection of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.