Washington: The White House was locked down today for more than an hour after a “smoke bomb” landed inside the compound of the US President’s residence, breaching the high security cordon around the building.
The incident took place on Tuesday night (US time) when an estimated 1,000 people of the Occupy Wall Street movement were protesting outside the White House. Panic struck the Secret Service – the federal agency responsible for security of the US President – when they saw a smoke bomb landed inside the high secure ground of the White House.
The White House was temporarily locked down and streets around the area were cordoned off. The protesters were peacefully dispersed and the White House was all clear.
President Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle were not at home when the incident occurred. Obama had taken Michelle to a restaurant for a dinner on the occasion of her 48th birthday.
The First Couple have since returned to the White House without any difficulty. Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie said there were no arrests and the agency was investigating the incident.
The journalists who were travelling with the President on return were prevented from leaving the grounds.
After holding in the briefing room for 45 minutes, a White House official escorted the press corps out of the White House grounds through the Executive building and out to an exit on 17th Street. US Secret Service was investigating an object that was thrown over the fence. (PTI)
