Gunman killed after approaching White House checkpoint, Secret Service says

Federal law enforcement agencies have responded after reports of shots fired near the White House grounds, with the Secret Service confirming a suspect has been killed after approaching a checkpoint with a weapon.

Two people were shot in an encounter with the Secret Service just outside the complex, according to a law enforcement official, who confirmed that officers from the Secret Service's uniformed division responded to a person firing a weapon.

"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 chief Kash Patel wrote on X.

Fox News reported that a gunman approached the White House near Gate 17 around 6 pm local time and fired three shots toward the building, and Secret Service agents returned fire, taking him down.

A civilian was also hit during the exchange, though officials stated the suspect never breached the White House perimeter.

President Donald Trump is "safe," according to reports.

He was at the White House at the time as he worked to negotiate a deal with Iran.

Lockdown imposed

Selina Wang, ABC News' chief White House correspondent, posted a video on X showing the moment she ducked for cover.

"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," she posted.

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. pic.twitter.com/iqdQwh4soq

— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 23, 2026

The DC Police Department said the Secret Service is working at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest and cautioned the public to avoid the area as the scene remains locked down.

The incident comes less than a month after the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where reporters and Trump administration officials have previously ducked for cover as shots rang out.

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Source: TRT