Gun May Have Been Fired Near White House; Abandoned Car Found

Gunshots were reported near the White House in Washington Friday night, triggering alarm among law-enforcement authorities.

Preliminary police reports indicated the shots were fired between two cars on Constitution Avenue between 15th and 17th streets NW, an area adjacent to the President's Park Ellipse and Washington Monument.

According to a U.S. Park Police representative, Sgt. David Schlosser, the incident occurred after 9 p.m.

Law-enforcement officials reportedly found a deserted car and an AK-47-style rifle in or near the vehicle, in proximity to the shooting incident, Reuters reported.

However, Schlosser was unaware officials had found a gun and maintained there was no evidence suggesting that the supposed gunshots were actually fired. Security officials do not believe the shooting had anything to do with the White House and that it may have been an issue only between the people in the two vehicles.

I think, obviously, the thing that makes it of interest is simply the location, you know, a bit like real estate, Schlosser told reporters. The fact that this occurred outside the White House area. At this point, we don't think that there's any link to the White House.

WTOP Radio talk-show host Mark Segraves said: Police say so far they've found no guns or shell casings or any evidence of shots fired other than 911 call and abandoned car.

An unnamed Secret Service official told CNN that agents stationed on 16th Street heard the shots, then saw the cars heading west on Constitution Avenue. Witnesses also reported seeing someone running across the Roosevelt Bridge.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were in California when the incident occurred. Constitution Avenue and other streets in the area were closed to aid the police investigation. No injuries were reported.