A gunman fired a volley of shots at U.S. Secret Service personnel near the White House on Saturday evening before being shot and gravely wounded by federal officers, said two officials with knowledge of the preliminary investigation. The exchange of gunfire also injured another person who was in the vicinity, the officials said.
The gunman, whose wounds were considered life-threatening, was taken to George Washington University Hospital, a law enforcement official said.
It was not immediately clear what had led up to the gunfire, which broke out near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, at the northwestern corner of the White House grounds.
Allison Robbert, a photographer for The New York Times, said that about 20 to 30 gunshots were heard from the north lawn of the White House.
“Journalists heard it from outside the press room and were ushered inside by Secret Service,” she said in a text message.
President Trump was at the White House at the time.
Selina Wang, a senior White House correspondent for ABC News, posted a video on social media of her recording a report when what sounds like gunfire can be heard in the background.
She is about three seconds into the recording when the noises are heard, and she heads to the floor for cover.
“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,” she wrote on X. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Christopher Mele contributed reporting.
