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Shots fired, AK-47 seized in vicinity of White House
Gunshots rang out in the vicinity of the White House in Washington on Friday night, following an apparent confrontation between occupants of two vehicles on Constitution Avenue.
No injuries were reported in the shooting that occurred a few minutes after 9 pm between the White House and the Washington Monument, a considerable distance away from the presidential mansion. Spent cartridges were reportedly found later on a stretch of Constitution Avenue.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were away in California, en route to Hawaii, where the APEC summit is to be held. Vice President Joe Biden was away in New York for Veterans’ Day ceremonies.
One of the two vehicles, fleeing after the shooting episode, was found abandoned near the Roosevelt Bridge, less than a mile away. An AK-47 assault rifle was recovered from the vehicle, believed to be a stolen Honda. A witness told police that someone was running from the vehicle towards the bridge.
US Park Police Sgt David Schlosser told reporters that the White House did not appear to have been the focus of the incident. At the same time, he noted: “The reason why this (shooting) is of interest is because of the location.”
Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said witnesses heard shots and saw two cars racing on Constitution Avenue towards 17th Street. He ruled out any breach in White House security.
A radio alert was issued and a stretch of Constitution Avenue was closed for some time.
No arrests had been made yet and a search was said to be on for the people who were in the two cars.
