Washington, DC: The White House was briefly locked down on Tuesday when a pistol was tossed over the security perimeter.
The event occurred at roughly noon, when Secret Service agents responded to reports of an object being hurled over the North Lawn barrier.
According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, someone tossed their phone over the fence, prompting quick security precautions.
As agents secured the area, members of the press corps, who were waiting to speak with Education Secretary Linda McMahon during her Fox News broadcast, were hurried into the James S. Brady Briefing Room.
The Secret Service imposed a complete lockdown of the White House grounds and temporarily blocked traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue. Security was withdrawn at 11:56 a. m. , enabling journalists to return to the North Lawn.
By 12:20 p. m. , journalists, including ANI, had reassembled in the Palm Room in anticipation of President Donald Trump's planned departure for an event in Pennsylvania.
The White House has yet to make an official remark regarding the security problem.
The incident is the most recent security issue for the Secret Service, which has seen numerous breaches in recent months.
In March, a Secret Service agent had to carry a youngster back to his parents after he managed to get into the White House perimeter.
Following a series of incidents at the presidential home, the organization is under greater criticism for its security procedures.
President Trump's schedule was unaffected by Tuesday's shutdown, and his Pennsylvania visit went ahead as expected.
