A man has been arrested after trying to climb a fence and enter the White House grounds. A witness reported that US Secret Service agents stormed the scene before pinning the suspect to the ground.
The man reportedly jumped onto a construction boulder near the Treasury Building before climbing over the entrance. However, agents quickly intercepted him before he was able to access the site further. Police have confirmed that one man, whose identity has not been released, is in custody while another has minor injuries.
The incident came to light on Thursday around 11.30 am US time (3.30 pm in the UK). There was reportedly a “physical altercation” between the suspect and officers prior to his arrest.
Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement to Newsweek: “Shortly after 11:30 a.m., a man was immediately taken into custody by uniformed U.S. Secret Service police officers after jumping onto a construction boulder near the Treasury Building on the northeast side of the complex.
“Officers encountered the man near a pedestrian gate, where he engaged in a physical altercation before being taken into custody. One officer sustained injuries. Both the officer and the suspect underwent medical evaluation for non-life-threatening injuries.”
More updates to follow…
