A gunman met his end and a bystander suffered injuries following an attack at a security checkpoint near the White House.
The incident unfolded shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday when the assailant began shooting at a Secret Service station.
With the president safe inside, the White House was swiftly secured under lockdown protocols.
In response, Secret Service personnel engaged the shooter, hitting him. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
An innocent bystander was also wounded, though authorities have not confirmed whether the injuries resulted from the shooter’s bullets or the ensuing crossfire.
Currently, the injured individual remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to a law enforcement source cited by the Daily Mail.
‘A preliminary investigation indicates that as the individual approached, he removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers,’ the Secret Service said in a statement which confirmed no agents were harmed.
Journalists wrapping up the day’s coverage at the White House reported hearing around 30 shots fired as they were forced to scramble for cover.
ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang appeared startled as gunshots rang out while she was recording a report on her phone
Secret Service agents are seen the White House after gunshots were heard nearby on Saturday
The shooting happened just beyond the perimeter of the White House on Saturday evening
Video showed ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang ducking and hiding as the gunfire 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,’ she said. ‘It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,’ she added.
Wang’s video shows her speaking for a few seconds about Trump’s potential Iran deal before the sound of gunfire interrupts her.
Wang´s eyes suddenly grow wider and she ducks down inside the media tent, which is among those situated in a line along the White House driveway where broadcasters film their reports.
On X, Wang’s video had been shared thousands of times as of Saturday evening, and viewed at least 5.5 million times.
The president was also inside the White House at the time as he was working on an Iran peace deal with Middle Eastern leaders inside the Oval Office.
The press pool had been dismissed about an hour before the shots were heard, with just a few broadcast journalists remaining.
ABC News White House reporter Selena Wang could be seen ducking for cover as gunshots rang out nearby
The suspected shooter was transported to hospital in critical condition, according to a law enforcement source cited by the Daily Mail
A Secret Service agent walks holding his weapon after gunshots rang out close to the White House
Police block streets around the White House on Saturday evening following reports of gunfire
A National Guard member and police vehicles are seen on a blocked street nearby
The incident occurred near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street Northwest
Reporters who were already inside the White House were told to shelter in place while Secret Service agents shouted ‘get down’ and warned of ‘shots fired.
They have since been released from the briefing room and the lockdown has been lifted.
Evidence of the shooting was visible on a sidewalk just outside the White House complex, where yellow crime scene tape snaked across the pavement and officers with the Secret Service placed dozens of orange evidence markers on the ground.
Medical material, including what appeared to be purple surgical gloves and kits typically used by emergency medical personnel, were also seen.
It comes just weeks after many of the same reporters were forced to cower behind tables and chairs during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting,
CNN reported the gunfire came from the 17th Street side of the White House, closer to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Initial reports suggest that a civilian was struck by the gunman before he was shot by the Secret Service. Pictured, a National Guard member on the scene
An armed Secret Service agent looks on at the White House in Washington after gunshots were heard
A member of the Secret Service was seen stopping journalists from leaving the White House during the lockdown
A member of the Secret Service guards the door of the press briefing room at the White House
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the FBI is present as part of the investigation.
‘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.’
The Daily Mail has contacted the DC Metropolitan Police Department, the White House press office and the Secret Service for comment.
