Gunman killed in shootout near White House as Trump remains safe
Secret Service agents engage suspect just after 1800 local time; bystander wounded and Trump unharmed during Iran negotiations
A gunman opened fire near the White House security perimeter on Saturday evening, prompting a rapid response from US Secret Service agents who killed the suspect in a shootout. The confrontation occurred just after 1800 local time (2200 GMT) in Washington, DC, and resulted in one bystander being wounded and transported to a hospital. President Donald Trump, who was inside the White House at the time, was not harmed.
Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that the suspect “pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing” near the security perimeter. Secret Service Police returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital. Guglielmi stated that a bystander was also struck by gunfire during the exchange, though the individual’s condition was not immediately disclosed.
The incident unfolded while President Trump was reportedly engaged in negotiations with Iran. Witnesses described hearing between 20 and 25 shots, with some initially mistaking the sound for fireworks. Journalists stationed on the White House North Lawn were ordered to run and take shelter in the press briefing room. ABC News correspondent Selina Wang captured footage of the gunfire as she dove to the ground, describing the sound as “dozens of gunshots.”
Law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, responded swiftly to the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed via social media that officers were actively responding. National Guard troops blocked access to the downtown Washington area, preventing reporters from entering the zone. Police cordoned off the surrounding streets as security forces swarmed the location.
This event marks the third alleged assassination attempt on President Trump in recent months. In July 2024, a gunman attacked a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing an audience member and lightly wounding Trump. On 25 April 2026, an armed man stormed a security checkpoint at a hotel where Trump was attending a media gala but did not reach the President. A few months after the Pennsylvania incident, another armed man was arrested on a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump was playing.
House Republicans issued a statement praising the Secret Service’s response and calling for an end to political violence. “Thank God President Trump is safe,” the group said on X, adding, “Endless gratitude to the Secret Service for their immediate, heroic response. Political violence has to stop.”
Trump has cited security concerns as a primary justification for the ongoing construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The project, which involves tearing down the East Wing, includes six floors of underground facilities, such as a military hospital, beneath the new structure.
