Confusion erupts after a 'small, drone-type' object was reportedly shot down near the king's palace in Saudi Arabia

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Confusion erupts after a 'small, drone-type' object was reportedly shot down near the king's palace in Saudi Arabia

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King Salman

Reuters/POOL

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud looks on during a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 13, 2014.

Confusion erupted on Saturday following reports of heavy gunfire near the Royal Palace in Saudi Arabia.

The Wall Street Journal reported that a toy plane or drone had been shot down after getting too close to the palace.

The Journal cited a source saying it was unclear whether the drone represented a threat or not.

The Saudi Press Agency said in a statement that a "small, drone-type remote-controlled recreational aircraft" was deployed "without being authorized to do so, which required security personnel at the security point to deal with them in accordance with their orders and instructions in this regard."

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Earlier, there were several unconfirmed reports and videos posted to social media purporting to show heavy gunfire near the king's residence in Riyadh, the capital city.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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