Gunshots were fired near the White House complex Monday, prompting the Secret Service to lock down nearby locations.
United States Secret Service confirmed that law enforcement shot one individual at 15th Street and Independence Avenue during the incident. Agents reportedly engaged in a heated confrontation with an armed man at the White House before President Donald Trump’s upcoming event began and wound up shooting him, RealClearPolitics national correspondent Susan Crabtree first reported.
“U.S. Secret Service personnel are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C. One individual was shot by law enforcement; their condition is currently unknown. Please avoid the area as emergency crews are responding,” the agency stated on X.
U.S. Secret Service personnel are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C. One individual was shot by law enforcement; their condition is currently unknown. Please avoid the area as emergency crews are responding. pic.twitter.com/LNUTL2F3gM
— U.S. Secret Service Office of Communications (@SecretSvcSpox) May 4, 2026
The suspect is currently in custody and no Secret Service agents were harmed. He is reportedly recovering from his gunshot wounds at George Washington Hospital, and Secret Service agents recovered his firearm.
More details:
The suspect, who I’m told was armed, is now recovering at George Washington Hospital from wound(s) inflicted by Secret Service gunfire.
The Secret Service has recovered the suspect’s firearm.
No Uniformed Division officers were shot or hurt, sources in the…
— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) May 4, 2026
Authorities immediately ushered the press located on the North Lawn into the briefing room for safety precautions while the areas were placed under lockdown. The shots were heard as Trump took the stage inside the East Room for a Small Business Summit.
UPDATE: Journalists escorted into White House Briefing Room amid reports of gunfire near the complex.
Lockdown in effect as press checks phones and films developments.
Situation developing. pic.twitter.com/murdnfCqwi https://t.co/eFUBpJYxfs
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) May 4, 2026
Secret Service temporarily blocked off surrounding streets and traffic. Agents put up caution tape at the corner of F and 15th Street, though they took it down just minutes later. Secret Service and National Guard troops maintained a heavy presence near the impacted areas.
JUST NOW: Traffic temporarily blocked in DC after gunshots reportedly heard near the White House complex. pic.twitter.com/a3l05CwGQX
— Hudson Crozier 🇺🇸 (@Hudson_Crozier) May 4, 2026
National Guard called in as well. pic.twitter.com/iLXmO6EfFZ
— Hudson Crozier 🇺🇸 (@Hudson_Crozier) May 4, 2026
Trump did not address the shooting while he spoke at his event in the East Room.
The incident occurred just several days after an assailant rushed into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while attempting to assassinate Trump. The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged the alleged would-be assassin, Cole Allen, with attempting to assassinate a U.S. president, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
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