Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C., hit by gunfire, suspect reportedly arrested

The Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C., was hit by gunfire early Thursday morning, with a suspect armed with an “assault” rifle now in custody.

The gunfire started at about 2 a.m. outside the embassy. Police arrived to find an unnamed person with a rifle, which reportedly included a high-capacity magazine.

The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was arrested on charges of possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition, assault with intent to kill and possessing a high-capacity magazine, a Secret Service spokeswoman told the Associated Press.

A motive in the incident remains unclear, and no injuries were reported.

Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that embassy staff members were “safe and protected” but that the shooting caused “material damage” to the building. 

The Cuban government doesn’t know the suspect’s identity or their potential motives, the statement said, adding that the U.S. State Department was also aware of the incident.