White House on Lockdown as Car Strikes Security Barrier, Driver Arrested; US President Thanks Secret Service

The US Secret Service said that the car couldn't breach the security barriers. The woman, who is believed to be mentally ill, has been arrested by the police.

Washington, Feb 24: The White House was on lockdown on Friday after a car rammed into the security barrier near the building. The incident happened when President Donald Trump was in a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the presidential building. The car, white Chevrolet minivan, was driven by a woman. The video of the incident showed the woman being pulled out of the car at gunpoint.

The US Secret Service said that the car couldn’t breach the security barriers. The woman, who is believed to be mentally ill, has been arrested by the police. “The vehicle did not breach the security barrier of the White House complex. The female driver of the vehicle was immediately apprehended by Secret Service Uniformed Division Officers,” the US Secret Service tweeted.

BREAKING: An individual driving a passenger vehicle struck a security barrier near the White House at 17th & E.

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) 23 February 2018

As per the secret services, no law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident involving a vehicle hitting a barrier near the White House. “No shots were fired during the vehicle incident near the White House,” it said. It also said that the incident leads to the traffic at patterns near 17th and E, affected.

The incident was reported in the western wing of the White House. “The Secret Service has had previous encounters with the female in the vicinity of the White House resulting in numerous arrests for a variety of criminal violations,” the official statement said. “The female was again charged today with numerous criminal violations and transported to the Metropolitan Police Department. The White House complex has returned to normal operations,” it added.