The Secret Service started an investigation after reports of gunfire near the White House late Saturday night.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at that time for the Easter weekend. Officers went to the area around Lafayette Park just after midnight on Sunday.
The Secret Service said in a statement obtained by CBS News that a sweep of the park and nearby streets found no suspect. No one was injured. Investigators are now looking for a vehicle and a person of interest.
The agency is working with the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
Police officers responded to the scene on the night of April 4. They carried out an extensive canvass of the surrounding blocks, WJLA reported. The station described the situation as still unfolding with more details expected.
White House Area Sealed Off Temporarily
Several blocks in Northwest D.C. were sealed off after the reports. The closed areas included portions of H Street, I Street, and 16th Street, according to WTOP. Those restrictions were lifted before 8:30 a.m.
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Trump was at the White House overnight according to his official schedule, WTOP reported. Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said in an X post that security around the executive mansion had been reinforced but day-to-day operations continued without interruption.
Guglielmi wrote on X: “We are investigating overnight gunfire in the area of Lafayette Park in conjunction with DCPoliceDept and usparkpolicepio. Anyone with information is urged to call DC Police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.”
Park Closed for Renovation
Lafayette Park, a green space directly north of the White House, has been closed behind fencing for weeks as renovation work continues, according to the Associated Press. That closure may explain why no bystanders were present when the gunfire was reported.
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The president is set to host a family Easter dinner at the White House on Sunday, CBS News reported.
Why This Matters
The gunfire reports came near the White House while President Trump was inside the building during the Easter weekend.
The timing has drawn attention because the president was at the residence when the shots were heard just after midnight on Sunday.
The incident happened as the president prepared to host a family Easter dinner later that day. The Secret Service and local police continue to investigate the reports even though the initial sweep found no suspect and no one was hurt.
