Man Crashes Into White House Park, Fights Secret Service
A vehicle crashed near the White House on Monday, sparking a physical altercation with law enforcement.
2 min read
On Monday morning, a vehicle crashed near the White House, prompting a lockdown of the White House campus. The driver of the vehicle crashed into a sign near Lafayette Park on the north side of the White House and then appeared to tussle with Secret Service and National Guard personnel.
Scenes from outside the White House of a car that drove into a sign on the north side of Lafayette Square Park and then fought the National Guard members and @SecretService agents. @DailyCaller https://t.co/4kCDX9cM5h
The Daily Caller spoke with multiple witnesses at the scene who described a physical altercation as the man was removed from the vehicle, with some saying he fought back and exchanged punches with those attempting to detain him. Other witnesses allege they saw someone running nearby and possibly attempting to jump or climb over a gate. Witnesses also reported to the Caller hearing as many as three gunshots, though accounts of the incident varied.
“Just before 10:00 a.m., Secret Service Police and National Guard responded to the north side of Lafayette Park at 16th Street and H Street, NW, where a vehicle crashed onto the sidewalk. The driver was combative with law enforcement, but was quickly placed under arrest,” a Secret Service spokesman told the Daily Caller. “MPD’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team has been called to sweep the vehicle as a precaution. Subsequently, roads around Lafayette Park have been closed.”
“Around the same time, a second individual jumped a barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park. That individual was also quickly placed under arrest,” the spokesman continued, adding, “Both incidents are under investigation.”
Video posted to X by Washington Sun reporter Martin Austermuhle shows Secret Service agents and National Guard members surrounding a gold-colored vehicle and looking inside.
Unclear what happened but someone just drove into a sign on the north end of Lafayette Square Park and then fought with Secret Service and National Guard when they got out of their car. https://t.co/Mwcrk4klQn
The situation then appeared to escalate as the driver exited the vehicle and began physically struggling with what appeared to be a law enforcement officer. Additional officers and National Guard members can be seen quickly surrounding the man, bringing him to the ground as they attempted to restrain him.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with comment from a Secret Service spokesman.
Source: Daily Caller
