Washington: A shooting outside the Cuban Embassy in Washington was a "suspected hate crime", authorities said.
A police report said that the suspect was identified as 42-year-old Alexander Alazo from Texas, "knowingly discharged multiple rounds from an AK-47 rifle into the Cuban Embassy" on Thursday morning, reported Xinhua news agency.
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However, Alazo's motivation remains unknown, said the report.
Officers recovered the rifle, ammunition and a white powdery substance that was found in a small bag after Alazo's arrest.
The shooting broke out at around 2 am, leaving holes in the walls and pillars near the front entrance of the embassy in northwestern Washington. No injuries were reported.
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Alazo was arrested on charges of possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition, assault with intent to kill and possessing a high-capacity magazine, a US Secret Service spokeswoman said.
Cuba's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that embassy staff members were "safe and protected" though the shooting caused "material damage" to the building.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department and the Secret Service were investigating the issue.
In a statement on Thursday, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
Cuba's foreign affairs ministry also said that it was "awaiting the corresponding investigation by US authorities into the identity and motives of the person who carried out this attack and the circumstances surrounding the event".
It is the obligation of the US to adopt appropriate measures to protect the premises of diplomatic missions against any intrusion or damage, the ministry added.
IANS
