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The Secret Service later confirmed that the suspect was deceased. President Trump was not harmed during the incident, and officials said no Secret Service personnel suffered injuries.
The frightening episode unfolded shortly after President Trump announced that his administration had “largely negotiated” a deal involving Iran, making the timing of the shooting even more alarming as tensions continue to rise globally and security concerns intensify in the nation’s capital.
WATCH:
Witnesses near the White House described a rapid burst of gunfire that shattered the calm of a Saturday evening in Washington. Several reporters stationed outside the White House said they heard somewhere between 20 and 30 shots ring out near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Members of the White House press corps were quickly rushed indoors as agents moved to secure the area.
ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang was reportedly recording a social media video on her iPhone when the gunfire suddenly erupted nearby. Video from the scene showed Wang immediately ducking for cover as shots echoed through the area.
DC News Now reporter Chris Flanagan described the panic that unfolded in real time.
WATCH:
“I heard about 30 shots,” DCNewsNow reporter Chris Flanagan said.
“Secret Service rushed us into press briefing room,” he said.
Additional footage circulating online reportedly showed members of the media sprinting away from the danger zone while heavily armed agents secured the streets surrounding the White House.
Inside the press briefing room, journalists waited anxiously as the White House complex was placed on lockdown.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents responded immediately to the unfolding situation.
“We are aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and are working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available,” the Secret Service said.
NBC News and CNN both reported that the suspect had previously come to the attention of the Secret Service and had allegedly attempted to gain access to the White House in the past. Those revelations are expected to intensify scrutiny over security protocols surrounding the presidential complex.
Saturday’s shooting also comes on the heels of another recent armed confrontation near the White House involving Secret Service agents, raising fresh questions about escalating threats targeting the area surrounding the president.
Just weeks ago, Secret Service personnel reportedly exchanged gunfire with another armed individual near White House grounds. Last month, another alarming security scare unfolded when a gunman stormed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton while President Trump and members of his Cabinet were attending the event.
The latest shooting once again underscores the increasingly dangerous security environment surrounding Washington, D.C., as federal agencies remain on high alert amid mounting political tensions and repeated threats aimed at high-profile government locations.
As investigators continue piecing together the motive behind Saturday night’s attack, Americans are once again witnessing the sobering reality that even the most heavily guarded location in the country is not immune from violence.
