WASHINGTON — Two people were arrested Monday morning in separate incidents at Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House — a driver whose car crashed onto the sidewalk and fought with officers, and a second person who jumped a barricade — and the White House was placed on a brief lockdown, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
“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 Secret Service said in a statement. “The driver was combative with law enforcement, but was quickly placed under arrest.”
The vehicle struck an informational sign on the sidewalk. It did not breach the security fence around the White House grounds and came to a stop more than a block from the building.
“Around the same time, a second individual jumped a barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park,” the statement said. “That individual was also quickly placed under arrest. Both incidents are under investigation.”
President Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident. The lockdown lasted about 30 minutes, and members of the White House press pool were held in the briefing room until it was lifted.
“MPD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has been called to sweep the vehicle as a precaution,” the Secret Service said. “Subsequently, roads around Lafayette Park have been closed.”
The video below, posted to Facebook on Monday by Robert Patillo, shows the damaged silver sedan stopped on the brick walkway at Lafayette Park as Secret Service officers and National Guard members respond. J News Network did not record the video:
Video: Robert Patillo via Facebook
No gunfire was reported, and no injuries were reported. The Secret Service has not released the names of the two people arrested or any charges against them, and it has not said whether the crash was deliberate or whether the two incidents are connected.
WATCH: Two arrested after a car crashed at Lafayette Park and the White House briefly locked down — our full report is in the video below.
