A suspect is in custody and one bystander is recovering from gunshot wounds after a a security incident outside the White House on Monday afternoon. The incident caused a brief lockdown inside the White House as President Trump was meeting with small business leaders and taking questions from the press.
A U.S. Secret Service spokesman told reporters that the incident took place at approximately 3:30 p.m. near the outer perimeter of the White House complex.
Plainclothes officers and agents who patrol the area identified a suspicious individual who appeared to be armed. They then called for support from marked uniformed Secret Service police officers to make contact.
Upon contact, the individual fled briefly on foot, withdrew a firearm, and fired in the direction of the agents and officers. At that point, law enforcement engaged the suspect. “That individual was hit, he’s since been transported to the hospital. I have no comments on his condition,” the spokesman said.
The official added that a bystander suffered a gunshot wound. “I can tell you at least one, only one bystander was hit by the suspect. That individual, the juvenile, did not sustain any life-threatening injuries, but he’s also receiving treatment at the hospital,” he added.
The incident took place just after Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade made its way through the area. “I’ll point out that not long before this shooting occurred, the Vice President’s motorcade did transit through this area,” the spokesman said.
He stated that the individual did not attack the motorcade or approach it with any apparent menace, to his knowledge at the time of the briefing. The suspect’s identity, or any details on a potential motive, have not been disclosed as of this report.
The location was identified as the intersection of 15th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW, near the Washington Monument and approximately four blocks from the White House complex. The individual was not on White House property but was observed in the vicinity by trained surveillance detection personnel who noted a “visual print” of a firearm, according to a report from local outlet WJLA.
The first officers to engage the suspect were uniformed Secret Service police, though plainclothes agents made the initial observation.
In response to the gunfire, the White House was placed under a brief lockdown. Secret Service personnel evacuated journalists from the North Lawn into the press briefing room as a precaution before the all-clear was given roughly 15 minutes later.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time, as he was attending a small business event in the East Room. He remained safe and continued the program without interruption after the brief delay.
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional details are expected to be provided in the coming hours.
