Suspect Dies After Firing Shots Outside White House
Quick Look
- A suspect died after firing shots at officers near a White House security checkpoint.
- The individual, identified as an emotionally disturbed person with a prior stay-away order, was shot by officers and later died at a hospital.
- President Trump was inside the White House at the time.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A suspect fired shots at officers outside a White House security checkpoint and later died. The incident occurred near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. President Trump was inside the building at the time.
US media outlets are reporting that a suspect who fired shots outside the White House has died.
Authorities said the man approached a security checkpoint before removing a weapon from his bag and firing at officers.
Officers returned fire and the man was taken to hospital, but later died.
US President Donald Trump was inside the building at the time but there were no immediate reports of any injuries.
Earlier the law official said, a person approached the checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House and started shooting at officers.
The suspect was "down" and was transported to George Washington Hospital, the official said.
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The suspect was identified as an emotionally disturbed person, the official said, adding that a "stay-away order" had been issued to the suspect previously.
Video captured by ABC America showed the moment shots could be heard while a reporter delivered a live cross on Saturday evening, local time.
"I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots," Selina Wang, the reporter shown in the video wrote on X.
"It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now."
On X, the Secret Service said it was “aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW” — one block from the White House — and was “working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground”.
The White House North Lawn was cleared by Secret Service and reporters were told to sprint into the White House Press Briefing Room.
"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," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.
It comes about a month after an alleged attempted assassination of the president on April 25 as he attended the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at a Washington hotel.
Cole Tomas Allen remains in custody over that incident and he recently pleaded not guilty to charges.
Open Questions
- What was the suspect's motive?
- What led to the suspect being identified as emotionally disturbed?
- What was the nature of the 'stay-away order'?
- Were there any other individuals involved?