This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
A suspect is charged after crashing a truck into barriers near the White House
The U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies investigate a rented box truck that crashed into security barriers at Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
(
Nathan Howard
/
Reuters
)
Law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C., say a person who drove a rental truck into security barriers near the White House on Monday did so intentionally.
U.S. Park Police say a preliminary investigation indicates that 19-year-old Sai Varshith Kandula of Chesterfield, Mo., plowed into the bollards around Lafayette Square on purpose.
The collision at Lafayette Square and 16th Street around 9:40 p.m. Monday occurred just steps from the White House.
Kandula was arrested and charged by the Park Police with assault with a dangerous weapon; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; threatening to kill / kidnap / inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member; destruction of federal property and trespassing.
NBC News reported that the suspect made threatening statements about the White House, and that a Nazi flag was seized by authorities at the scene.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said no Secret Service or White House personnel were hurt in the incident.
The Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department deemed the truck safe after the crash, he added.
Sponsored message
Authorities didn't say if President Biden was in the White House at the time of the collision.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
