- Armed individual fired shots near White House perimeter.
- Secret Service shot suspect; bystander also injured.
- Suspect apprehended outside White House grounds.
- Investigation ongoing into motive and firearm.
The White House was briefly placed under lockdown on Monday after US Secret Service personnel confronted an armed individual near the complex who allegedly opened fire before being shot by officers.
Secret Service said agents patrolling the outer perimeter identified a person described as a “suspicious individual that appeared to have a firearm,” prompting an immediate response, Reuters reported.
Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said the individual attempted to flee on foot after being approached and fired at officers during the encounter.
Suspect Shot, Bystander Injured
Secret Service personnel returned fire, striking the suspect, who was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment, Quinn said during a press briefing.
A juvenile bystander was also injured in the incident after being hit by the suspect. Officials said the injuries were not life-threatening and the individual was receiving medical care, the report said.
Agents had observed a “visual print of a firearm” while assessing the individual’s behavior prior to the confrontation, Quinn noted.
Authorities confirmed the suspect was not on White House grounds at the time of the shooting. A weapon was later recovered, though officials did not disclose further details.
Heightened Security and Ongoing Probe
The incident occurred shortly after Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade passed through the area. Quinn said there was no indication the suspect had targeted the motorcade.
The episode comes amid heightened security in the US capital following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner late last month, in connection with which a suspect has been arrested.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House during Monday’s incident. When asked whether the shooting was linked to prior threats against the president, Quinn said, “Whether or not it was directed to the president or not, I don’t know but we will find out,” Quinn said.
Investigation Underway
The Secret Service confirmed earlier that officers responded to an “officer-involved shooting” near 15th Street and Independence Avenue.
The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., has taken charge of the investigation, officials said.
