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Crime

White House on lockdown after car hits security barrier

February 23, 2018

The Secret Service has said that they detained a woman after her car struck a security barrier near the White House. It was not immediately clear whether the driver intended to hit the barrier.

https://p.dw.com/p/2tFll
A passenger vehicle that struck a security barrier sits near the White House
Image: Reuters/J. Bourg

Security forces in Washington mobilized on Friday after a vehicle rammed a security barrier outside the White House.

The US Secret Service, which is charged with guarding the president, reported on Twitter that "a passenger vehicle" hit a barrier near 17th Street and E Street, but that the car "did not breach the security barrier of the White House complex." 

The Secret Service added that "the female driver of the vehicle was immediately apprehended."

No law enforcement personnel were injured. Although the Secret Service said no shots had been fired during the operation, pictures of the vehicle appeared to show the rear window of the car had been shattered.

A passenger car sits at a security barrier it appears to have struck near the White House in Washington
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Loeb

It was not immediately clear whether the woman intentionally drove her car into the barrier.

The White House went on lockdown due to the incident, with witnesses reporting a commotion on the grounds as authorities responded.

US President Donald Trump was hosting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the White House. Trump later tweeted his thanks to the Secret Service.

rs/msh (AP, AFP)