Gunman killed after opening fire near the White House
US President Donald Trump said the gunman had a "violent history and possible obsession" with the White House.
Gunfire erupted outside the White House when a man opened fire on Secret Service officers, then died after agents returned fire, the agency said in a statement carried by US media.
A bystander was also struck in the exchange, the agency said, though officials did not disclose the person’s condition.
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US President Donald Trump said the gunman had a “violent history and possible obsession” with the White House.
“Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our country’s most cherished structure,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
According to the official, the suspect walked up to the checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House and began firing at officers.
Emergency and law enforcement vehicles lined streets near the White House
The official also said the suspect had previously been subject to a “stay-away order”.
The US Secret Service said it was investigating the shooting, while FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency was assisting with the inquiry.
Police and security personnel flooded the area surrounding the White House in the aftermath of the gunfire.
President Trump was inside the White House at the time, where he was working to negotiate a deal with Iran.
Police tape seals off a sidewalk beside emergency and police vehicles near the White House
ABC News reporter Selina Wang, who was filming outside the White House when the shots rang out, later posted video of the incident on X.
In the footage, she appeared to duck for cover as gunfire crackled, and said she and her team were instructed to “sprint to the press briefing room”.
I was taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when the shots broke out. It sounded like dozens of rounds. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room, where we are sheltering now. pic.twitter.com/iqdQwh4soq
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 23, 2026
