A gunman has been shot dead after approaching a White House security checkpoint and firing at officers, federal officials have said. The White House, where Donald Trump was present, was briefly locked down on Saturday as the sound of a sustained volley of gunshots rang out, sending journalists in the area running for cover.
Incident Details
The US Secret Service reported that shortly after 6pm local time, a man approached a checkpoint at a White House gate near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, drew a pistol and opened fire. Secret Service officers, responsible for protecting the president and vice-president, returned fire, striking the suspect. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
During the exchange, a bystander was also shot. The Secret Service stated: “It remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire.” No Secret Service personnel sustained injuries, and President Trump was not affected by the incident.
President Trump’s Response
Hours later, Trump praised the “swift and professional action” of law enforcement in a social media post. He noted that the incident occurred a month after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, adding that it “goes to show how important it is, for all future presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C.” This appeared to reference his plans for a ballroom.
Suspect Background
The suspect has not been officially named, but multiple US media outlets reported that he had a history of mental health issues. He was arrested last year for attempting to enter via a different White House checkpoint without authorization and had been issued a “Stay Away Order.”
Media and Witness Accounts
Selina Wang, a White House correspondent for ABC News, shared video on social media capturing the sound of gunfire interrupting her report on US negotiations with Iran. In the clip, Wang dived for cover as what “sounded like dozens of gunshots” rang out. Chris Flanagan, an anchor for DC News Now, reported approximately 30 shots were fired, and the security lockdown was later lifted. A CBS News producer estimated at least 20 shots were fired.
The FBI director, Kash Patel, posted: “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.”
Context of Recent Incidents
This shooting comes less than three weeks after a previous incident where a man brandishing a gun fired at a Secret Service officer near the route of JD Vance’s motorcade outside the White House. A civilian witness was wounded in the leg, and officers returned fire, striking the man in the hand, left arm, and upper abdomen. The event also follows an attempted assassination of the president on 25 April during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, according to law enforcement authorities.
