Reporters were told to shelter in the press briefing room after hearing what sounded like “dozens” of shots.
Gunshots were heard near the White House on Saturday evening, prompting Secret Service officers to clear the North Lawn and order reporters into the press briefing room, according to media reports and journalists at the scene.
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang said she was recording a video on the North Lawn when the shots were heard.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” Wang wrote on X. “We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
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. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now. pic.twitter.com/iqdQwh4soq
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 23, 2026
NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin wrote on X that approximately 20 to 30 shots were heard outside the White House, and that Secret Service officers told those gathered on the North Lawn to run inside.
“USSS officers, gun drawn, told us to run inside,” Tsirkin wrote, adding that the White House was “now on lockdown.”
Outside the press briefing doors right now…
USSS officers, gun drawn, told us to run inside
White House now on lockdown pic.twitter.com/CdgKkKoSZu
— Julie Tsirkin (@news_jul) May 23, 2026
There was no immediate official confirmation of casualties, arrests, or whether the reported gunfire posed any threat to the White House complex. CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs said Secret Service personnel had apparently come under fire near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW before returning fire.
Two people were reportedly hospitalized following the incident – the suspected gunman and a possible bystander. The suspect was reportedly in critical condition, while the second individual was listed in serious condition. No agents were reported injured.
US President Donald Trump was reportedly inside the White House at the time of the incident. The lockdown imposed on the White House and its grounds was lifted at approximately 6:45pm local time.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that federal agents were “supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds.”
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns around the White House. Earlier this month, the Secret Service said a man was shot by law enforcement near the Washington Monument after opening fire on officers, briefly prompting heightened security in the area.
