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White House Placed On Lockdown After Suspicious Package Thrown Over Fence

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Steve Birr Vice Reporter
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The Secret Service placed the White House on lockdown Monday after a woman threw a object over the fence shortly after President Barack Obama returned from a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery.

The woman tossed a metal object over the fence along Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House at roughly 1:15 p.m. D.C. Fire’s Special Ops and hazmat crews were on scene to assist the Secret Service in its investigation and to determine if the package posed any threat, reports NBC Washington.

Secret Service agents arrested an unidentified woman who was seen being put in handcuffs. Obama arrived at the White House shortly before the lockdown occurred, after a speech in Arlington National Cemetery.

Reporters were not allowed to leave the briefing room as officials responded to the incident. Authorities continue to investigate the possible motive for the security breach. D.C. Fire and EMS said the package tested negative and there is no longer any threat, reports WJLA.

Authorities say it is standard procedure to sweep the grounds and bring in hazmat teams in a situation like this until it can be determined there is no immediate danger. Officials lifted the lockdown at 3:30 p.m.

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