WASHINGTON (7News) — Two individuals were arrested near the White House Monday morning following separate security incidents, prompting a temporary lockdown, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
At approximately 10 a.m., Secret Service Police and National Guard members responded to a vehicle incident on the sidewalk at Lafayette Park near 16th and H streets NW. The driver was reported to be combative and was swiftly taken into custody.
In response, the Metropolitan Police Department's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team conducted a sweep of the vehicle. Roads in the vicinity of Lafayette Park were closed during the incident.
Witness Andrew David, visiting from the UK, noted, “When we got off the metro, we discovered the roads were closed, which made us realize something had happened.”
Simultaneously, another individual jumped a barricade at the northwest corner of Lafayette Park and was also arrested, as confirmed by the Secret Service. The lockdown near the White House was lifted around 11 a.m., according to the White House press pool.
Both incidents are under investigation. A week prior, a separate incident involving a Venezuelan national was reported, where he was arrested near the White House with firearms.
7News has reached out to the U.S. Attorney for D.C. regarding potential charges for the arrested individuals.