US Secret Service lifts White House lockdown, suspect in custody
An unidentified person attempted to jump the bike rack that runs alongside the North Fence Line of Washington, D.C.'s Pennsylvania Avenue
May 17, 2017
WASHINGTON: The US Secret Service said late on Tuesday that it had lifted a security lockdown put into effect at the White House after a person tried to jump over a bike rack used as a barrier along the north fence of the mansion where President Donald Trump lives and works.
Update: Incident along North Fence Line is cleared. Pedestrian traffic may resume along Penn Ave/North Fence line sidewalk area @WhiteHouse
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 16, 2017
The suspect was in custody, the security office also said on Twitter.
A Secret Service officer asks the media to leave the North Lawn in reaction to an apparent fence jumper at the White House in Washington, US, May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
The Secret Service also updated that the incident has cleared up now and pedestrian traffic may resume "along Penn Ave/North Fence line sidewalk area".
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
The White House was placed on a lockdown late Tuesday night after an unidentified individual tried trespassing the grounds by jumping a barrier along the north fence, the Secret Service's had said on Twitter.
VIDEO: Secret Service agents running towards North fence of the White House pic.twitter.com/Y7c8uZPzSX
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) May 16, 2017
Jeff Mason, Reuters' White House correspondent and president of the White House Correspondents’ Association for the 2016-2017 term, said, "There's been another fence-jumper at the White House, according to an officer near the gates," Express UK reported.
US Secret Service officers deploy on the grounds of the White House on May 16, 2017, during a reported security breach. AFP/Olivier Douliery
A Secret Service officer looks out from the roof of the North Portico in reaction to an apparent fence jumper at the White House in Washington, US, May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Security had been tight for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's visit earlier in the day, as protesters gathered in front of the White House. Erdogan, however, left before the lockdown.
Related: Erdogan, Trump hail strategic ties despite tensions
"We've had a great relationship and we will make it even better," Trump had said in the joint appearance with Erdogan. His Turkish counterpart, on the other hand, commented that his visit would "mark a historical turn of tide," and hailed "outstanding relations" between the nations.
The bike rack runs alongside the North Fence Line of Washington, D.C.'s Pennsylvania Avenue – a street linking White House to the Capitol.
