The United States Secret Service has confirmed that an individual was shot near the White House on Monday, triggering a brief lockdown of the complex.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred at the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C. A Secret Service spokesperson stated: 'U.S. Secret Service personnel are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting. One individual was shot by law enforcement; their condition is currently unknown. Please avoid the area as emergency crews are responding.'
Members of the White House press corps were briefly evacuated from the North Lawn and moved into the media briefing room before an 'all clear' was given.
Context of the Event
The incident unfolded while President Donald Trump was delivering remarks in the East Room during a small business summit. During his speech, Trump highlighted his directive to deploy the National Guard to the capital last year, asserting that Washington, D.C. is now one of the safest cities in the United States, contrasting it with conditions under the Biden administration.
Recent Security Concerns
This event comes just over a week after an alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner while Trump and Melania were in attendance. Allen has been charged with attempted murder of the President and two gun charges, but has not yet entered a plea.
This is a breaking story, and further updates are expected.
