One Dead in Secret Service Shootout Beside White House
White House reporters were told to sprint to safety after a burst of gunfire triggered a rapid Secret Service response.
A sudden eruption of gunfire sent White House reporters sprinting for cover Saturday evening as Secret Service agents scrambled to secure the scene.
Journalists gathered on the White House North Lawn were rushed indoors as the area was rapidly locked down, with members of the press directed into the briefing room.
The Secret Service said a man approached a security checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW shortly after 6 p.m., removed a weapon from his bag, and began firing at officers.
“Secret Service police officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died,” the agency said in a statement.
A bystander was also reportedly struck during the exchange. Officials said it remains unclear whether the person was hit by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of shots.
The agency added that President Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident but was not affected. No Secret Service personnel were injured.
ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang said she was filming a social media video when the shots rang out.
“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” Wang wrote on X.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room, where we are holding now.”
CNN White House correspondent Julia Benbrook later reported that the shots appeared to come from outside the White House grounds.
“These gunshots, though, to be clear, appeared outside of the grounds, closer to the EEOB building,” she said, referring to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is located next to the West Wing and houses the offices for several White House staffers as well as the Office of the Vice President.
Benbrook also noted that the president was in residence at the White House this weekend.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X to confirm that the bureau was assisting in the response.
“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds—we will update the public as we’re able,” he wrote.
It remains unclear what triggered the apparent gunfire.
The incident takes place exactly four weeks from the evening California teacher Cole Tomas Allen allegedly attempted to assassinate the president during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
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