A shoeless man tossed firecrackers over a fence and onto the White House lawn Monday afternoon before being tackled and immediately arrested by three Secret Service officers.
Uniformed officers ordered journalists standing in the White House driveway inside the building after the loud popping sound was heard.
The incident happened just hours after 34-year-old Aaron Alexis opened fire inside the Washington Navy Yard, killing at least 12 people. The shooter was also killed at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the U.S. Senate complex was put on partial lockdown out of "an abundance of caution."
White House still shut down after guy arrested throwing firecrackers. Press finally allowed to leave
Josh Lederman
@joshledermanAP
White House still shut down after guy arrested throwing firecrackers. Press finally allowed to leave
Reporters at the scene initially mistook the firecracker sounds for gun shots.
heard shots outside wh gate --
Ed Henry
@edhenryTV
heard shots outside wh gate --
i heard two pops like gunfire then a secret service officer engaged
Ed Henry
@edhenryTV
i heard two pops like gunfire then a secret service officer engaged
Ah - Secret Service says a dude threw firecrackers over the White House fence - it wasn't shots.
Patricia Zengerle
@ReutersZengerle
Ah - Secret Service says a dude threw firecrackers over the White House fence - it wasn't shots.