NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service says a small drone crashed overnight at the White House complex while the president was in India.

An investigation is underway to determine its origin and identify suspects and their motive.

Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary says the device was a quadcopter and was about 2 feet in diameter. A quadcopter is an unmanned aircraft that is lifted by four propellers.

Leary says the quadcopter was flying at a very low altitude before it crashed on the southeast side of the executive mansion around 3:08 a.m. Monday.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were in New Delhi and not at the White House.

Leary says in a statement that the White House complex was immediately locked down until the device was examined and cleared.

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NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman for President Barack Obama says a “device” has been found on the grounds of the White House but that it poses no threat.

Spokesman Josh Earnest says Secret Service agents recovered the object but that early indications are that it does not pose a threat to anyone in the building.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, are on a three-day visit to India, with a stop planned in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday before they return to Washington.

The White House was dark during Monday’s pre-dawn hours and emergency vehicles with lights flashing were clustered near the southeast entrance to the mansion.

A security perimeter had been set up around the White House to restrict access.

Secret Service had no immediate comment on what it found.