WASHINGTON, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Joint Base Andrews in U.S. state Maryland said on Monday that an armed intruder had been arrested and a second individual had fled the installation.
A 17-year old male "was apprehended at the scene in possession of a firearm and remains in custody," Joint Base Andrews reported in a press release.
It also said confirmatory evidence had been found after a full sweep that the base intruder on the loose had departed the military facility located in Prince George's County.
An earlier release said one vehicle drove through the security checkpoint on Sunday night and failed to adhere to commands of security personnel at the main gate.
Two individuals fled the vehicle, and one was apprehended after security personnel deployed the barriers.
"We can confirm that the individual who was apprehended had a weapon, but no shots have been fired," it added.
Colonel Tyler Schaff, 316th Wing and Joint Base Andrews installation commander, said in a statement that the two suspects were driving a "stolen vehicle."
An investigation of the incident is ongoing.
The incident took place as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and four members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet arrived back at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday night from a trip to Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
A White House official told reporters that Harris and the other senior officials were safely off the base.
Joint Base Andrews is the home base of two Boeing VC-25A aircraft with the call sign Air Force One when a U.S. president is on board.
U.S. presidents are typically flown in and out of the military installation when traveling from Washington, D.C. by plane.
Biden reportedly returned directly to the White House from his home state Delaware via helicopter on Sunday. ■
