All clear at White House, US Capitol after reported airspace violation over DC prompted lockdowns

All clear at White House, US Capitol after reported airspace violation over DC prompted lockdowns

WASHINGTON – An all clear was given at the U.S. Capitol and at the White House after a reported airspace violation over Washington D.C. prompted brief lockdowns Tuesday morning.

The incident was reported around 8:30 a.m. and caused road closures in the downtown area. Evacuations at the U.S. Capitol were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour. No injuries were reported.

U.S. Capitol Police scrambled a helicopter, and the military scrambled fighter jets from Joint Base Andrews during the incident.

Law enforcement sources initially told the lockdown was triggered after an aircraft moving east violated restricted airspace. But Fox News later learned that officials may have to go back and review the radar to determine what exactly prompted the scare, with sources saying they got “mixed signals at best” as to what the potential aircraft could have been.

One source said they were never sure whether an actual aircraft was ever involved, while another told that radar was showing “different sectors” as to where the threat was coming from. One source said whatever they saw may have just been an “anomaly” or even “geese.”

 

 

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