A gunman has been killed and a bystander injured after he opened fire at a White House security checkpoint.
The shooter approached a Secret Service post and unleash a hail of bullets just after 6pm on Saturday.
The White House was immediately placed on lockdown as the president was still inside at the time, but was unharmed.
Secret Service agents returned fire and struck the suspect who was transported to the hospital where he later died.
A civilian was also hit, although officials said it was unclear if they were harmed by the shooter or in the crossfire.
The bystander is in the hospital in a critical condition, a law enforcement source told the Daily Mail.
‘A preliminary investigation indicates that as the individual approached, he removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers,’ the Secret Service said in a statement which confirmed none of its agents were harmed.
Journalists wrapping up the day’s coverage at the White House reported hearing around 30 shots fired as they were forced to scramble for cover.
ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang appeared startled as gunshots rang out while she was recording a report on her phone
Members of the media are seen running for cover after gunshots could be heard close to the White House
Reporters on the North Lawn were rushed into the press briefing room as Secret Service agents shouted ‘get down’
The shooting happened just beyond the perimeter of the White House on Saturday evening
Video showed ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang ducking and hiding as the gunfire erupted.
‘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 said. ‘It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,’ she added.
Wang’s video shows her speaking for a few seconds about Trump’s potential Iran deal before the sound of gunfire interrupts her.
The press pool had been dismissed about an hour before the shots erupted, with just a few broadcast journalists remaining.
Secret Service agents told other journalists to ‘get down’ as they were evacuated from the the White House’s North Lawn.
The president was inside at the time as he was working on an Iran peace deal with Middle Eastern leaders inside the Oval Office.
Trump aides Steven Cheung, Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and others were all present with the president when shooting occurred.
He later thanked the Secret Service for their ‘swift and professional action’ and remarked on the proximity to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last month as he suggested it proved the need for his sweeping renovations at the White House.
‘Goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C,’ he wrote on Truth Social. ‘The National Security of our Country demands it!’
ABC News White House reporter Selena Wang could be seen ducking for cover as gunshots rang out nearby
Secret Service agents are seen the White House after gunshots were heard nearby on Saturday
The suspected shooter was transported to hospital in critical condition but later died
A Secret Service agent walks holding his weapon after gunshots rang out close to the White House
Police block streets around the White House on Saturday evening following reports of gunfire
A National Guard member and police vehicles are seen on a blocked street nearby
The incident occurred near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street Northwest
Authorities have not revealed the shooter’s motive, though sources said the suspected gunman had a history of mental health issues, claimed to be Jesus Christ and was previously known to the Secret Service after violating a court order barring him from the White House area.
CNN reported the gunfire came from the 17th Street side of the White House, closer to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Evidence of the shooting was visible on a sidewalk just outside the White House complex, where yellow crime scene tape snaked across the pavement and officers with the Secret Service placed dozens of orange evidence markers on the ground.
Medical material, including what appeared to be purple surgical gloves and kits typically used by emergency medical personnel, were also visible.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency is present as part of the investigation.
‘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.’
Authorities have yet to state who exactly the intended target was but confirmed that the White House was not breached.
Yellow crime scene tape snaked across the pavement. An EMS kit and gloves could also be seen on the ground where police and Secret Service blocked streets around the White House
A civilian was also struck by the gunman before he was shot by the Secret Service. Pictured, a National Guard member on the scene
An armed Secret Service agent looks on at the White House in Washington after gunshots were heard
Reporters hold up their phones near a window in the White House press briefing room after shots were fired in the area
A member of the Secret Service guards the door of the press briefing room at the White House
Secret Service Police examine and photograph evidence at the crime scene near the White House, on Saturday evening
Trump, 79, has been the target of three assassination attempts, the most recent of which took place on April 25 when an armed man stormed the security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
‘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 wrote on Truth Social.
‘The gunman is dead after an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service Agents near the White House gates.
‘This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, and goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C. The National Security of our Country demands it!’
‘Thank God President Trump is safe,’ House Republicans said on X later on Saturday night.
‘Endless gratitude to the Secret Service for their immediate, heroic response. Political violence has to stop.’
