The Secret Service has reportedly shot an armed suspect after shots were fired near the White House.
The gunman was reportedly shot by Secret Service agents on Saturday, May 23, after opening fire near the White House, triggering an immediate lockdown of the presidential complex.
The shooting also triggered a rapid multi-agency security response while President Donald Trump was reportedly inside the premises.
According to earlier reports by U.S. media emerging from the scene, the suspect did not breach the White House perimeter before being confronted by authorities.
Fox News reported that the gunman managed to fire several shots toward the White House area before Secret Service agents returned fire and quickly neutralized the threat.
“This suspect was taken down pretty quickly,” Fox News reported during its live coverage of the developing incident.
The exact condition of the suspect was not immediately clear, though reports indicated the individual had been shot after the exchange of gunfire.
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Authorities also indicated that at least one civilian may have been struck during the incident, though details surrounding the injury remain limited as investigators continue securing the area.
The grounds of the U.S. president’s official residence and workplace were immediately locked down following the gunfire, with journalists and staff instructed to take cover inside secure areas.
White House reporters narrate ordeal
Several reporters who were physically present at the scene described scenes of panic and confusion as shots rang out across the North Lawn area.
Senior White House correspondent for ABC News, Selina Wang, said she was recording a social media video outside when the shooting erupted.
“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,” the journalist said.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room, where we are holding now.”
Another journalist described hearing “many gunshots” before members of the press were ordered to run inside the White House briefing area as Secret Service agents moved aggressively to secure the scene.
Reporter Chris Flanagan also confirmed the lockdown, stating: “We’re on lockdown. President Trump is at the White House.”
Footage circulating online appeared to show the exact moment shots erupted near the presidential complex, with law enforcement officers rapidly storming the area and moving civilians and journalists to safety.
Within minutes, heavily armed federal agents and law enforcement personnel flooded the perimeter surrounding the White House.
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The Secret Service later issued a statement with the FBI also confirming it was assisting with the response and subsequent investigation.
Further reports highlighted that the release of reporters from lockdown later in the evening indicated authorities no longer believed there was an active threat to the White House grounds.
The incident comes after months of heightened threats involving the White House and follows previous assassination attempts and security scares connected to Trump and senior administration officials.
