Secret Service Engages Suspect, FBI Supports Response After Gunshots Near White House

Gunshots were fired near the White House complex in Washington, D.C., and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI was on the scene supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds.

“Secret Service, FBI respond to reports of 'shots fired' near White House The White House North Lawn was cleared by Secret Service on Saturday”

ABC News

DW reported that the White House was placed on lockdown after multiple gunshots were heard nearby on Saturday evening, and Benjamin Alvarez said there was a "heavy Secret Service, police, and National Guard presence at 17th and H Street NW" just outside the White House.

ABC News

Al Jazeera said there were no immediate reports of any injuries on Saturday night, while NBC News reported that the gunfire injured at least two people and that one person was in grave condition.

NBC News also said the investigation shows that the U.S. Secret Service engaged with the suspect and fired at the person, and it added that at this early juncture there doesn’t appear to be any injuries to Secret Service agents.

The incident unfolded as President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time, and the Secret Service said it was aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and was working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted that "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," and the Secret Service said it was aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and was working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground.

Journalists described being ordered to take cover, with BBC reporting that Selina Wang wrote, "We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now," as a volley of bangs rang out across the White House's north lawn.

Al Jazeera

The Guardian reported that Julie Tsirkin said the White House was on lockdown after what sounded like "approximately 20-30" gunshots, while NBC News said an NBC News team heard between 20 and 30 gunshots around 6:04 p.m.

Fox News Chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reported that at about 6 p.m. local time, a gunman fired about three shots toward the executive mansion and Secret Service agents returned fire, and it said a nearby civilian was shot in the exchange.

Al Jazeera added that its Kimberly Halkett said there were more than 30 shots heard from the White House North Lawn, and it reported that National Guard troops blocked reporters from entering the area in downtown Washington.

NBC News said the lockdown, which included the White House grounds, was lifted at 6:46 p.m., and it reported that the Secret Service was posted just outside the press briefing room with guns drawn as the White House went into lockdown.

“Journalists run for cover as they report possible gunfire near White House Several journalists at the White House have reported the sound of possible gunshots nearby”

BBC

ABC News reported that the White House North Lawn was cleared by Secret Service on Saturday evening after the sound of apparent gun shots, and it quoted the Secret Service saying it was aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

USA TODAY said no injuries or arrests were immediately reported and quoted the Secret Service statement that the agency was "gathering information and will have more on this incident shortly," while it also said USA TODAY had reached out to the White House for additional comment.

The Washington Post said Kash Patel confirmed gunshots were fired near the White House complex early Saturday evening, and it included Patel’s pledge that the FBI would update the public as it was able.

The incident also came nearly a month after what law enforcement authorities said was an attempted assassination of the president on April 25 as he attended the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, according to Al Jazeera.