Secret Service Fatally Shoots Armed Man After Attack Near the White House
Posted on05/25/26 at 09:20
- Shooting Near the White House
- Secret Service Shot Suspect
- Trump Was Inside the Complex
A shooting reported Saturday afternoon near the White House left two people injured, including the armed suspect, and prompted a precautionary lockdown of the presidential complex in Washington.
According to U.S. media and Secret Service reports, the incident occurred at an intersection near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, just a short distance from the presidential residence.
The incident happened while journalists were covering, from the North Lawn of the White House, information related to a possible agreement between the United States and Iran announced hours earlier by President Donald Trump.
The situation created tense moments among reporters, security personnel, and officials who were inside the complex.
Secret Service Responded to Armed Man
Preliminary statement regarding the shooting incident on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. pic.twitter.com/NOdFKmwVuU
— U.S. Secret Service Office of Communications (@SecretSvcSpox) May 24, 2026
Secret Service agents responded to reports of an armed man near the White House.
According to CNN, between 15 and 30 shots were fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
The Secret Service said in a statement posted on X that the suspect approached a security checkpoint shortly before 6:00 p.m. local time.
According to the federal agency, the individual pulled a gun from a bag and began firing at agents.
Officers responded by opening fire on the suspect.
The man was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
During the exchange of gunfire, a bystander was also injured.
CNN reported that the person was believed to be in critical condition.
The Secret Service said none of the agents involved were injured during the incident.
Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service’s chief of communications, confirmed that Donald Trump was inside the White House when the shooting occurred.
Journalists Experienced Moments of Fear During the White House Attack
According to the EFE news agency, the shots were heard inside the presidential complex and were also captured by television cameras covering news activities at the White House.
Reporters present on the North Lawn described scenes of confusion and fear after hearing multiple gunshots.
ABC reporter Selina Wang was recording a segment when the shots began and had to drop to the ground to seek cover.
Journalists were initially moved to the White House briefing room.
They were later evacuated from the area, a source told EFE.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Donald Trump Will Not Attend His Son’s Wedding in the Bahamas Due to Global Tensions
The journalists also observed the deployment of heavily armed Secret Service agents around the complex.
The security lockdown around the White House remained in place for approximately one hour.
After the incident, authorities reinforced surveillance on nearby streets, and National Guard members guarded access points and entrances.
FBI Director Kash Patel reported on X that the agency had deployed agents to assist the Secret Service in the investigation.
Streets near the site of the White House shooting remain closed as investigations continue.
Trump Remained in the White House
President Donald Trump had been scheduled to spend the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
However, he decided to remain in Washington to monitor negotiations related to a possible ceasefire with Iran.
It also emerged that Trump canceled his attendance at his son Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding in the Bahamas.
Vice President JD Vance and other members of the presidential cabinet had taken part in a meeting with Trump hours before the incident.
So far, it is unclear whether they were still inside the presidential complex when the shooting occurred.
The Secret Service spokesperson said the security arrangements for the president and the White House were temporarily affected by the situation.
Recent Incidents Heighten Security Tensions
The White House shooting comes nearly a month after another armed incident related to presidential security.
On April 25, an armed man attempted to enter the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
That incident forced the evacuation of both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In addition, in July 2024, Trump was wounded in the ear after a gunman opened fire during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Two months later, another armed suspect was arrested outside the president’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, accused of attempting to assassinate him.
Federal authorities continue to investigate Saturday’s shooting and are keeping the areas near the White House under security protection.