Man in custody after White House firecracker incident

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A man was taken into custody after allegedly setting off a firecracker outside the North Lawn of the White House Monday, authorities said.

Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie told Politico the suspect in custody was Alexander Sahagian.

Sahagian, 52, had not been charged.

Politico said the Secret Service was seen handcuffing a white man with dark hair and wearing a blue shirt with light-colored shorts.

The incident, which occurred about 6:30 p.m. EDT just a few miles from the Washington Navy Yard where a deadly shooting spree took place earlier in the day, prompted police to shut down 2 blocks of 17th Street NW and a block of Pennsylvania Avenue on the northwest side of the White House.