Shots Fired Near White House. AK-47 Found.

[Eliza]

Shots were fired from at least one car about a block away from the White House Friday night, and a loaded AK-47 assault rifle was recovered from the scene, the Secret Service said. The episode does not appear to be connected to the White House. President Obama was in California and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was in New York for Veterans Day observances, according to their public schedules. Secret Service officers heard gunfire near Constitution Avenue and 16th Street around 9 p.m., said Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service. Two cars drove off west on the avenue before one, a black Honda, was found abandoned near 23rd Street, Mr. Donovan said. Witnesses told officers that a man fled the car on foot. Officers found the loaded assault rifle in the car, Mr. Donovan said. The authorities were searching for the people who may have been involved.