WASHINGTON: A gunman who opened fire on Secret Service officers outside the White House on Saturday (May 23) evening has died after being shot.
A bystander was also shot during the exchange of fire, the agency said in a statement provided to U.S. media, without providing the victim's condition.
The incident triggered a massive security response as police and security forces swarmed the area.
US President Donald Trump, 79, was inside the executive mansion at the time working on a deal with Iran.
The gunman approached the west side of the White House and fired three times but never breached the security perimeter.
"Secret Service police officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died," the statement said.
Police quickly cordoned off access to the White House while National Guard troops blocked entry to the area in downtown Washington.
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"FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near WhiteHouse grounds," FBI Director Kash Patel said on X.
Canadian tourist Reid Adrian told AFP he was in the area when they heard what sounded like 20 to 25 fireworks but were actually gunshots, causing everyone to run.
Journalists on the North Lawn were ordered to shelter in the press briefing room.
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang was recording a video for social media when the gunfire broke out, capturing the sounds as she dove to the ground.
"It sounded like dozens of gunshots," she said on X.
Trump has been the target of three alleged assassination attempts, the most recent of which took place on April 25 when an armed man stormed a security checkpoint at a hotel gala.
In July 2024, Trump was lightly wounded in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a few months later, another armed man was arrested on a West Palm Beach golf course.
"Thank God President Trump is safe," House Republicans said on X.
"Endless gratitude to the Secret Service for their immediate, heroic response. Political violence has to stop," the post read. - AFP
