A former Olympic athlete, now a British national, was arrested this morning after allegedly vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. The suspect, who competed for Team GB in the 2012 London Games, has denied the charges through his legal team.
Sources close to the investigation confirm that the individual was taken into custody around 3 a.m. local time after security cameras captured him pouring an unidentified substance into the pool.
The substance, which has yet to be analysed by the FBI, turned the water a murky shade of green. The suspect’s lawyer, speaking outside the courthouse, insisted his client was the victim of mistaken identity and that the arrest was a ‘gross overreaction by overzealous police officers.’ The incident has prompted an urgent review of security protocols at British diplomatic properties in the capital, including the ambassador’s residence and the British Embassy chancery.
A State Department spokesperson said, ‘We are cooperating fully with our British allies to ensure the safety of their diplomatic staff and premises. This incident does not reflect the strength of our bilateral relationship.’ The suspect, whose name has not been released pending formal charges, remains in custody.
This is a developing story.
