Reporters and staff take cover as gunshots ring out near presidential residence
Updated ,first published
Washington: The White House was placed into lockdown after a series of gunshots rang out near the premises, forcing reporters on the front lawn to duck for cover and the Secret Service to secure the property.
The Secret Service confirmed officers shot a man near the White House grounds after he approached a checkpoint, “removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers”.
The suspect was taken to hospital and later died, the Secret Service said. A bystander was also shot, and it was not known whether they were struck by the shooter’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange.
Reuters reported the suspect had been identified as an emotionally disturbed person and that they had been issued with a “stay-away order” previously, citing a law enforcement official.
The incident occurred just after 6pm Saturday (Washington time) while President Donald Trump and other senior officials were inside the building, dealing with the unfolding situation in Iran. He was not impacted by the incident, the Secret Service said.
Dramatic video showed ABC News America reporter Selina Wang ducking for cover on the North Lawn of the White House as several loud bangs rang out while she was on air.
Journalists were locked inside the press briefing room during the lockdown, with Secret Service patrolling the grounds outside. The lockdown was later lifted, indicating the urgent threat had subsided.
Washington police said the Secret Service was handling an incident at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, which is in the north-west corner of the White House precinct, beside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
The Secret Service also said it was aware of reports of gunshots at that corner. FBI director Kash Patel said the bureau was on the scene supporting the Secret Service and would provide updates later.
The incident comes only weeks after a gunman allegedly targeted Trump and other administration officials at the White House Correspondents Association’s annual dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington.
Secret Service agents were also involved in an armed confrontation with a man near the White House grounds earlier this month.
More to come
Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.Connect via X or email.
