The White House was reportedly put on lockdown Wednesday afternoon in response to a suspicious backpack.
“At approximately 2:45 pm an individual dropped a backpack and attempted to jump a bike rack along the sidewalk on Pennsylvania Ave. The individual was immediately taken into custody by Secret Service Uniformed Division Officers,” the U.S. Secret Service tweeted, adding, “Law enforcement officials are responding to the incident on the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Ave. Pedestrian traffic is closed along Pennsylvania Ave. between 15th and 17th streets to include Lafayette Park.”
At approximately 2:45 pm an individual dropped a backpack and attempted to jump a bike rack along the sidewalk on Pennsylvania Ave. The individual was immediately taken into custody by Secret Service Uniformed Division Officers.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) June 19, 2019
Law enforcement officials are responding to the incident on the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Ave. Pedestrian traffic is closed along Pennsylvania Ave. between 15th and 17th streets to include Lafayette Park.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) June 19, 2019
Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason tweeted that the press had been ordered outside in response to the incident.
White House is on lockdown, press has been ordered inside. Sounds like there might have been a suspicious package left on Pennsylvania Ave, though that is unconfirmed at this time. pic.twitter.com/6P7k8Z9tXA
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 19, 2019
The Secret Service later issued an update that “the backpack that was dropped along the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Ave. has been cleared by Secret Service and @DCPoliceDept. Pedestrian traffic closures are expected to be lifted soon.”
Update: the backpack that was dropped along the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Ave. has been cleared by Secret Service and @DCPoliceDept. Pedestrian traffic closures are expected to be lifted soon.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) June 19, 2019
