Gunfire erupts near White House; Trump was inside

WASHINGTON SEOUL (Yonhap) -- Dozens of gunshots rang out near the White House on May 23 (local time).

Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump was staying at the White House at the time of the incident, and Secret Service (SS), FBI agents, and police officers have cordoned off the scene and are investigating the circumstances.

According to CNN, an SS official stated that they received a report of gunshots around 6 p.m. near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW on the outskirts of the White House complex and are investigating.

CNN reported that its own reporters also heard gunshots near the White House, and journalists who were on the North Lawn of the White House at the time were urgently evacuated to the briefing room.

One reporter said the gunshots seemed to come from the direction of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building within the White House complex.

The SS subsequently temporarily locked down the White House and ordered journalists outside the building to evacuate.

A NewsNation reporter said, "I heard 25 to 30 consecutive gunshots." "SS agents evacuated us to the briefing room. They shouted, 'Active shooter! Get down!' and brought us here (the briefing room) as quickly as possible."

The SS Public Affairs Office posted on X (formerly Twitter), "We are aware of reports of a shooting incident at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and are working with on-site personnel to confirm information." "Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."

FBI Director Kash Patel also wrote on X, "The FBI has responded to the scene and is assisting the SS in responding to the shooting incident near the White House." "We will release additional information as it becomes available."

While federal agencies like the SS and FBI have not yet provided specific details about the incident, Fox News reported that the shooter fired three shots from a handgun towards the White House, and SS agents responded with gunfire, neutralizing the shooter.

Reuters reported that a law enforcement official said, "The suspect approached a checkpoint near the White House and fired at police officers." "The suspect was neutralized and transported to the hospital. There were no injuries among law enforcement officers."

U.S. media reported that President Trump was unharmed. However, it was reported that a civilian was shot at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital, with their specific condition unconfirmed.

Shooting incidents have occurred frequently near the White House recently. On the 4th of this month, a suspect armed with a firearm fired at law enforcement officers at an intersection southeast of the Washington Monument, not far from the White House, leading to an exchange of fire.

On the 25th of last month, an armed assailant with a shotgun, pistol, and knife rushed through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel, near the venue for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, and was subdued by authorities immediately after passing through.

President Trump was attending the dinner at the time but was safely evacuated.