Authorities have detained a Missourian man, 19, who they believe deliberately crashed a U-Haul vehicle into a security barrier on Monday in Lafayette Square, close to the White House.
Sai Varshith Kandula, of Chesterfield, Missouri, was detained on the spot, according to U.S. Park Police. Kandula is accused of trespassing, destroying government property, assault with a dangerous weapon, careless driving, and threatening to kill, kidnap, or hurt the President, Vice President, or their family, among other offenses.
Man Found with Nazi Flag, Duct Tape, Notebook
JUST IN: the driver of the #Uhaul that tried to crash through #Lafayette Park is charged with “Threaten to kill/ kidnap/ inflict harm on a President/ VP / family member”. We saw a Nazi flag, duct tape and a notebook with pages full of writing retrieved from the truck. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/U9saFoLRIf
— Melanie Alnwick (@fox5melanie) May 23, 2023
On Tuesday, officials announced his name. In the collision, no one was hurt.
Just before 10:00 p.m., a collision took place close to 16th Street. The area’s walkways and roads were blocked off as police conducted their investigation.
The Hay-Adams Hotel on the 800 block of 16th Street was evacuated as a result of the incident.
Shomari Stone confirms the news on his official Twiter account:
BREAKING: Right now, the Secret Service is using a robot to search the U-HAUL truck that collided with security barriers at Lafayette Square near the White House. @fox5dc @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/QvhpOyM44V
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) May 23, 2023
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The truck crashed into the barriers as seen in a cell phone video taken at the scene. A Nazi flag in the colors of red, white, and black was found by the police inside the car. The truck also yielded a backpack, some duct tape, and a notepad with many pages of writing.
Two fences that offered additional security measures would have stood between the motorist and the White House if the barriers had been smashed. Near the Executive Mansion, Lafayette Square has long been one of the most well-known locations for protests in the country.
In the midst of widespread protests against policing following the assassination of George Floyd in Minneapolis, federal officials fenced off the area, forcing the park to close for almost a year. However, it reopened in May 2021.
The crash’s inquiry is still ongoing.
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