Gunman opens fire at security checkpoint near White House, shot dead
The reported gunfire occurred near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just outside the White House perimeter. Officials said they were working to verify the reports with personnel deployed on the ground.
A gunman was killed after opening fire at a US Secret Service checkpoint outside the White House, according to a statement issued to CBS News by a Secret Service spokesperson.
Preliminary findings indicate the suspect approached the checkpoint, removed a weapon from a bag and began shooting at officers stationed there.
Secret Service personnel returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later taken to hospital and pronounced dead, the spokesperson said.
A bystander was also hit during the exchange of gunfire, though officials said it remains unclear whether the person was struck by bullets fired by the suspect or by officers. No update on the bystander’s condition was immediately available.
The Secret Service said none of its personnel were injured in the incident.
US President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time but was “not impacted”, the spokesperson added. A White House official told CBS News that the US President had been briefed on the shooting outside the White House. The incident came as Trump and senior aides spent the weekend focused on efforts to negotiate a peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.
Several CBS News reporters on the White House North Lawn said they heard sounds resembling gunfire around 6 p.m. ET before Secret Service agents rushed journalists indoors as part of a temporary lockdown.
CBS News White House associate producer Emma Nicholson said in a social media post that a CBS News crew was preparing to film for “CBS Weekend News” when they heard what appeared to be multiple gunshots near the White House and immediately took cover.
She said Secret Service personnel escorted the crew into the White House shortly afterwards.
The White House lockdown was lifted shortly before 7 p.m.
According to the US Secret Service, the incident took place near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just outside the White House perimeter. Officials said they were investigating reports of gunfire and working to verify details with personnel deployed on the ground.
The incident prompted heightened security measures across the White House complex. Armed Secret Service agents were seen moving across the North Lawn, while reporters were instructed to “sprint” into the White House press briefing room for shelter. The North Lawn was later cleared as part of the operation.
Secret Service sniper teams were also deployed on the roof of the White House following the security scare.
Saturday’s shooting near the White House comes less than a month after authorities said an assassination attempt targeting US President Donald Trump was foiled during the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at a Washington hotel on April 25.
Cole Tomas Allen, from Torrance, California, has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of attempting to kill the president and remains in federal custody.
Kash Patel said the FBI was assisting the Secret Service at the scene.