Gunshots were fired near the White House complex and the Washington Monument 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, and a bystander was struck; both are alive, authorities confirmed at a press briefing Monday. Agents reportedly engaged in a heated confrontation with an armed man near the White House and National Mall before President Donald Trump’s event in the East Room of the White House began, 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.
AT PRESS BRIEFING: Secret Service confirms one bystander was hit by the suspect. Both are alive as of now.
Plainclothes Secret Service officers followed and approached the suspect after observing a visual print of a firearm in their clothing. Gunfire was exchanged after officers…
— Hudson Crozier
(@Hudson_Crozier) May 4, 2026
(@Hudson_Crozier) 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 occurred around the Trump took the stage inside the East Room for a Small Business Summit. (RELATED: New Footage Of Accused Would-Be Trump Assassin, Police Canine Raises Additional Questions)
UPDATE: Journalists escorted into White House Briefing Room amid reports of gunfire near the complex.
Should security measures at the White House be increased after recent incidents?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
National Guard called in as well. pic.twitter.com/iLXmO6EfFZ
— Hudson Crozier
Trump did not address the shooting while he spoke at the event in the East Room.
The incident occurred just several days after an assailant rushed into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while allegedly 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.
Hudson Crozier contributed to this report.
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