Overview
- Journalists on the North Lawn heard what they described as about 20 to 30 shots around 6 p.m. on Saturday and were rushed into the White House press briefing room for safety.
- The Secret Service locked down the complex, deployed armed officers across the North Lawn, and lifted the lockdown roughly 45 minutes later when the immediate perimeter was secured.
- Law enforcement exchanged fire with a suspected shooter at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and two people were taken to hospital with the suspect reported in critical condition and a bystander in serious condition.
- The FBI joined the Secret Service on scene to support the response and to lead an active investigation that will seek to corroborate eyewitness video, determine motive, and establish whether the incident links to prior threats.
- The shooting comes weeks after separate security incidents near presidential grounds and is likely to prompt new reviews of protective plans for the White House and changes to how reporters and staff are sheltered during live coverage.