A gunman reportedly opened fire outside the White House Saturday evening, getting off about three shots before he was taken down by a barrage from the Secret Service.
The gunman fired near Gate 17 on the building’s West Side shortly before 6:30 pm. and was soon neutralized, Fox News reporter Chad Pergran said, adding that a civilian who was near by was apparently hit in the fusillade.
After the sound of numerous shots rang out, members of the press who were filming on the White House grounds were seen diving for cover and were told by Secret Service to gather on the north lawn and to run into the 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 posted on X.
Fox news reported the gunman was a male and that he fired a pistol.
“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,” said Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
CNN reported that the lock down was later lifted at about 6:45 p.m.
The apparent shots rang out a little less than two hours after President Trump announced on Truth Social that he was in the Oval Office working on a peace deal with Iran.
It also comes about a month after a lone gunman opened fired a the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where Trump was in attendance.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
