A gunman was shot and killed after opening fire at a United States Secret Service security checkpoint located just outside the White House, according to a statement provided to CBS News by a Secret Service spokesperson. The shooting triggered a major security response around the White House complex, forced a temporary lockdown, and prompted federal agencies to rapidly coordinate their response at the scene.
According to preliminary information released by officials, the suspect approached a Secret Service checkpoint positioned near the White House perimeter before allegedly removing a firearm from a bag and opening fire on officers stationed there. Secret Service personnel immediately responded to the threat by returning fire, striking the gunman during the exchange.
Authorities stated that the suspect was transported to a nearby hospital following the shooting but was later pronounced dead. Officials have not yet publicly released the identity of the gunman or additional details regarding a possible motive behind the attack.
During the exchange of gunfire, a bystander was also injured. However, investigators said it remains unclear whether the individual was struck by bullets fired by the suspect or by rounds discharged by law enforcement officers responding to the incident. No immediate update regarding the bystander’s medical condition was made available.
The United States Secret Service confirmed that none of its officers or personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation.
US President Donald Trump was reportedly inside the White House at the time of the shooting but was “not impacted” by the incident, according to the Secret Service spokesperson. A White House official later told CBS News that the president had been fully briefed about the situation shortly after the shooting occurred.
The incident unfolded while Trump and senior members of his administration were reportedly spending the weekend focused on ongoing diplomatic negotiations related to Iran and efforts aimed at securing a broader peace agreement to end the conflict involving Tehran.
Several CBS News journalists stationed on the White House North Lawn reported hearing multiple sounds resembling gunfire at approximately 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Shortly afterwards, Secret Service agents rushed toward reporters and ordered members of the media to move indoors immediately as part of emergency lockdown procedures.
Emma Nicholson, a White House associate producer for CBS News, later shared details of the incident in a social media post. She stated that a CBS News crew had been preparing to film a segment for “CBS Weekend News” when they suddenly heard what sounded like several gunshots coming from near the White House grounds.
According to Nicholson, the crew immediately took cover before Secret Service agents escorted them inside the White House complex for safety. Journalists and staff were reportedly moved quickly into the White House press briefing room as security teams secured the area.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation later confirmed that the FBI Washington Field Office had responded to reports of shots fired near the White House in support of Secret Service operations. Federal authorities said they were assisting with the ongoing investigation and helping secure the scene.
The temporary lockdown imposed across the White House complex was eventually lifted shortly before 7 p.m., after authorities determined there was no longer an immediate active threat.
According to the Secret Service, the shooting occurred near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC, just outside the White House security perimeter. Officials stated that investigators were working to verify all details surrounding the incident with personnel deployed at the scene.
The shooting prompted a visibly heightened security response throughout the White House complex. Armed Secret Service agents were seen moving rapidly across the North Lawn while security officials cleared sections of the area as a precaution.
Witnesses reported that journalists present outside the White House were instructed to “sprint” into secure areas as law enforcement personnel assessed the situation. The North Lawn was later evacuated and fully secured during the operation.
In addition to ground security measures, Secret Service sniper teams were also deployed onto the roof of the White House following the gunfire incident, underscoring the seriousness of the security alert.
Saturday’s shooting near the White House came less than a month after authorities announced that another alleged assassination attempt targeting President Trump had been foiled during the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner held at a Washington hotel on April 25.
Federal prosecutors have charged Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, in connection with that alleged plot. Authorities said Allen pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of attempting to kill the president and remains in federal custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
Kash Patel also stated that the FBI was actively assisting the Secret Service with the investigation and response operations following Saturday’s shooting.
The FBI Washington Field Office reiterated in a public statement that it had responded to reports of gunfire near the White House to support federal security operations alongside Secret Service personnel.
The latest incident is expected to renew concerns regarding presidential security and the growing number of threats directed at senior US political leaders, particularly amid heightened domestic tensions and ongoing international crises.
