Gunfire near White House, Observatory will just be a Secret Service test

WASHINGTON — The Secret Service will close several streets late Saturday and early Sunday for “a live fire calibration of a system that provides real time detection and geolocation of gunshots fired.”

The exercise will consist of firing shots into a “bullet trap.” Multiple rounds will be fired from various weapons in three shot increments, to simulate “a multiple gunshot event,” according to a Secret Service statement released Friday.

The exercise will be conducted near both the White House and the Naval Observatory.

The following areas will be closed:

  • Constitution Avenue NW, between 15th and 17th streets NW
  • 15th Street NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues NW
  • 17th Street NW, from Constitution to New York Avenues NW
  • E St NW, from 15th to 17th streets NW
  • Observatory Circle, from Massachusetts Avenue NW to the South Gate of the Naval Observatory

Jack Pointer

Jack contributes to WTOP.com when he's not working as the afternoon/evening radio writer.

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