The US Secret Service announced the launch of an investigation into a shooting incident that occurred near the White House in Washington, DC, coinciding with the authorities imposing intense security measures in the area.
Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s head of communications, said that Secret Service agents responded to reports of gunfire near Lafayette Park, facing the White House, shortly after midnight.
He added that the intensive searches that took place in the park and surrounding areas have not resulted in the arrest of any suspect so far, as search operations continue.
Meanwhile, the authorities confirmed that things were going on as usual inside the White House, while many surrounding roads were closed and the security presence was reinforced.
The competent authorities, in cooperation with the police, continue to search for a possible car and a person of interest, as part of the ongoing investigations to uncover the details of the accident.
The area surrounding the White House is considered among the most heavily guarded areas in the United States, where Secret Service forces are permanently stationed.
Any security incidents, even if they are minor, usually cause widespread alert and strict preventive measures, due to the sensitivity of the site and its political importance.
This incident comes in the context of an ongoing security tightening in Washington, D.C., due to fears of potential security threats, which justifies the rapid response and measures taken.
