Man arrested near White House after throwing firecrackers over fence

USPA News - A man was arrested Monday after throwing firecrackers over a fence in front of the White House, briefly putting the president`s residence on lockdown with armed officers taking up positions near the complex, officials and witnesses said. There were no injuries.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time on Monday when a Caucasian man, wearing white shorts and a blue T-shirt, lit firecrackers and tossed them over a fence at the White House North Lawn. Witnesses in the area reported hearing what some described as "gunshots," but no shots were fired. Secret Service agents hurried reporters, other members of the media, and anyone else on the White House grounds inside the president`s residence after the loud noises were heard. The incident occurred minutes after the White House gave a travel and photo lid for the day, meaning President Barack Obama was not expected to leave his residence for the rest of the evening. Three uniformed Secret Service officers took the man, identified as 52-year-old Alexander Sahagian, into custody and transported him to the Metropolitan Police Department`s second district for processing. No formal charges had been filed by late Monday, but a law enforcement source said Sahagian would likely face a charge for throwing a projectile. His motive was not immediately known. Monday`s incident came just hours after a civilian contractor and former Naval reservist opened fire at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., killing thirteen people - including the gunman - and injuring fourteen others in the district`s deadliest incident since a 1982 plane crash. It briefly put the U.S. Senate and other buildings on lockdown as authorities were investigating whether more gunmen were involved.