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Suspect dies after opening fire at White House checkpoint, bystander wounded
Sounds of gunfire were heard near the White House on Saturday, after a person approached a checkpoint shortly after 6 pm ET.
The suspect who approached a White House security checkpoint and opened fire at officers has died, federal officials said.
Sounds of gunfire were heard near the White House on Saturday, after a person approached a checkpoint shortly after 6 pm ET, “removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers”, the US Secret Service said in a statement. Officers shot the suspect following an exchange of gunfire, during which a bystander was also wounded.
However, a law enforcement official said told the Associated Press that it wasn't clear whether the person was hit by the suspect's bullets or those fired in return by the officers.
The incident took place at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, which is just outside the White House complex, a US Secret Service official told CNN.
FBI Director Kash Patel had said the agency personnel were on the scene and supporting the Secret Service. “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,” Patel said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, a Secret Service official said the agency had launched an investigation into the incident. According to CNN, dozens of gunshots were heard. A large police presence was seen at the site of the incident thereafter, AFP reported. US President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time, as he worked to reach an agreement with Iran.
Police cordoned off access, reporters told to shelter in place
After the incident, police cordoned off access to the White House, with the National Guard troops blocking an AFP reporter from entering the area, the agency reported.
Meanwhile, reporters who were present on the North Lawn at the time of the gunfire were ordered to run and shelter in the White House press briefing room, journalists said on X. Inside the White House, the reporters were told to shelter in place. US Secret Service agents directed them to “get down” and warned of “shots fired”, CNN reported.
Meanwhile, Secret Service agents carrying rifles were seen moving through the North Lawn area and blocking the White House press briefing room after the gunshots were heard. The lockdown was later lifted around 6:45 PM ET.
‘Dozens of gunshots’
Selina Wang, ABC News’ chief White House correspondent, said “dozens of gunshots” were heard, while also posting a video she was making of herself at the time of the incident.
“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. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,” Wang said in the post on X.
This comes a month after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which was also attended by Trump. Shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was taking place. The suspect in the incident, Cole Tomas Allen, attempted to run a security checkpoint with a shotgun in his hand. Trump and other officials were evacuated from the spot, while Allen was taken into custody.
