The US military shot down China’s suspected spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, a US official said.
The specific method by which the balloon was shot down is still unknown, but the order was given by President Joe Biden and was introduced and supported by the military leadership, according to the US official who spoke to CNN.
The spy balloon was first spotted in the sky over Montana earlier this week and traveled across the center of the country following weather patterns before leaving the continental United States on Saturday.
Biden said Saturday that his government would take over the alleged spy balloon, speaking from Syracuse, New York, where he is visiting his family. Hours later, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order closed three airports and restricted airspace over North and South Carolina “in support of the Department of Defense.” The FAA has extended the order until 5:15 p.m. ET.
