The White House was locked down and the U.S. Capitol and its office buildings were briefly evacuated Tuesday amid concerns about a small aircraft that violated restricted airspace in the area.
The evacuations were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour.
According to WJLA, however, it wasn't an airplane but rather a flock of birds that put the nation's capital on alert.
The jets that were sent to intercept what was first thought of as a plane, never found an aircraft.
HAPPENING NOW: The White House appears to be on lockdown. The briefing room is currently locked.
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) November 26, 2019
The U.S. Secret Service said personnel at the White House were told to remain in place. That precaution was later lifted as well.
Update: The lockdown has been lifted at the White House after an aircraft entered restricted airspace in the DC area, causing a “national event conference” to be convened, a US defense official tells @barbarastarrcnn. Official said “it is not known to be hostile at this time.”
— (@betsy_klein)Nov 26 2019
Capitol Police sent a notification of a potential threat shortly after 8:30 a.m., and the evacuations were ordered. People were allowed back in after about 30 minutes.
Update: The lockdown has been lifted at the White House after an aircraft entered restricted airspace in the DC area, causing a “national event conference” to be convened, a US defense official tells @barbarastarrcnn. Official said “it is not known to be hostile at this time.” https://t.co/J4Oy4g55H7
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) November 26, 2019
HAPPENING NOW: The White House appears to be on lockdown. The briefing room is currently locked.
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) November 26, 2019
Jet aircraft were scrambled in response to the incident.
DEVELOPING: Airspace violation reported in Washington, DC, and fighter jets have been scrambled, law enforcement officials tells @NBCNews.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 26, 2019
White House on lockdown. https://t.co/npp9EafLSO
I’m safe. There’s a plane in restricted airspace and I can’t get to my office in the Capitol. Hanging tight with the police in Russell. We are on lockdown.
— Theresa (@MDerinLilly) November 26, 2019