***Please see end of article for updates***
On Saturday evening, an unexpected burst of gunfire near the White House prompted the U.S. Secret Service to initiate a lockdown, ensuring the safety of those in the vicinity. The unsettling incident was caught on camera by ABC News White House Correspondent Selina Wang, whose quick thinking enabled her to share the footage on social media.
At 6:20 p.m. EST, Wang posted the video to X, capturing the tension of the moment. “I was in the middle of recording a social video on my iPhone from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” she recounted.
In response to the situation, Wang explained that the media personnel present were instructed to swiftly move to the press briefing room for safety, where they remained as the situation unfolded.
“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. It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” Wang said.
The White House correspondent added that the media was then “told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
“Shots fired at the white house,” DC News Now anchor Chris Flanagan wrote on X 11 minutes earlier. “I heard about 30 shots. Secret service rushed us into press briefing room.”
NBC News Correspondent Julie Tsirkin also posted to X, declaring, “GUNSHOTS heard outside of the White House.”
“Approximately 20-30,” she added. “Secret service told those of us gathered on the north lawn to run inside the press briefing room.”
In a follow-up post, Tsirkin shared a photo of her view from lockdown, writing, “Outside the press briefing doors right now… USSS officers, gun drawn, told us to run inside. White House now on lockdown.”
“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,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Law enforcement, meanwhile, said the Secret Service shot two men outside the White House on 17th and Pennsylvania NW, according to attorney Mike Davis.
The gunshots “appeared outside of the grounds, closer to the EEOB building, which is on the west side of the White House,” CNN reported.
Watch Below:
***Update*** 6:37 p.m. Eastern
***Update*** 8:48 p.m. Eastern
Preliminary statement regarding the shooting incident on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue:
***Update*** 8:42 p.m. Eastern
Gunman who believed he was Jesus Christ opened fire on White House checkpoint, neutralized by Secret Service:
Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for – News. You can follow her on Facebook and X at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.
