WASHINGTON — A tense security incident unfolded near the White House on Saturday evening when a man armed with a pistol opened fire near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, according to a law enforcement source who spoke with NewsNation. Secret Service agents returned fire, taking down the suspect, and at least one civilian was reportedly struck during the exchange. Details on the civilian’s condition were not immediately available.
Reporters on the White House grounds were abruptly hustled into the press briefing room just after 6 p.m. as the sound of gunfire echoed across the complex. Chris Flanagan, an anchor for DCNewsNow, described hearing “about 30 shots” before Secret Service personnel rushed in from behind, shouting commands to get down and move inside. “Immediately the Secret Service came up from behind us screaming, ‘get out of here, get down, shots fired, get to the briefing room,’” Flanagan told NewsNation. “They put everybody in the briefing room. We left our bags, we left cameras.”
The Secret Service confirmed the incident in a statement posted on the social platform X, saying it was aware of reports of shots fired near the White House and was working to corroborate information with personnel on the ground. The agency added that additional details would be provided as they became available. The FBI, under Director Kash Patel, also responded to the scene, with Patel confirming the bureau’s presence on X.
President Trump was at the White House on Saturday, having canceled a planned weekend trip to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, amid reported negotiations with Iran. In a Truth Social post at 4:30 p.m., Trump wrote that he was “in the Oval Office.” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung echoed that sentiment, posting on X that the president “has been working hard at the White House since early this morning.”
Law enforcement sources confirmed that the perimeter of the White House was not breached. The incident comes at a time of heightened security around the executive mansion, as the administration continues to navigate a series of high-stakes foreign policy and domestic challenges. The quick response by Secret Service agents underscores the constant threat environment surrounding the nation’s most protected building.
The shooting also raises questions about security protocols and the safety of journalists who regularly cover the White House. The press corps, often working in close proximity to the building, was forced to abandon equipment and seek shelter in the briefing room—a space that has served as a secure location in past emergencies. This is not the first time reporters have been rushed to safety; similar procedures were triggered during a 2016 security scare when a man fired a gun outside the White House fence.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident is likely to reignite debates about public safety in the nation’s capital and the adequacy of security measures around key government institutions. The Secret Service has not yet released details about the suspect’s identity or motive, but the agency’s swift action prevented any breach of the White House grounds.
For now, the White House remains on high alert, and the press corps is back to work, albeit with a heightened awareness of the risks that come with covering the seat of American power. The story is developing, and further updates are expected as law enforcement continues its investigation.
