gunfire near – Gunfire was reported near the White House grounds on Saturday, May 23, triggering a lockdown and a rapid response from the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI. Shots were reported by multiple outlets, press were moved into the White House briefing room, and no inj
Gunfire was heard near the White House grounds on the evening of Saturday, May 23, and within minutes the area tightened—lockdown orders, a fast Secret Service presence, and FBI assistance converging as reporters watched events unfold close to the briefing room.
The episode began when a statement posted to social media said shots were reported near the White House. prompting a rapid response by the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI. FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X that the FBI was on the scene supporting Secret Service officers and that the public would receive updates as information became available: “FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able.”.
CNN reporters on the scene said they heard what appeared to be dozens of gunshots near the White House complex. CBS News reported approximately 20 shots were heard just after 6 p.m. ET. with reporters saying the sounds appeared to come from the side of the White House complex containing the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
A Secret Service official told CNN the agency was investigating reports of shots fired near the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest. just outside the White House grounds. In response, members of the press corps gathered on the North Lawn were rushed inside. Reporters were directed into the White House briefing room as Secret Service agents shouted “get down” and warned of “shots fired. ” according to CNN. One reporter said the sounds appeared to come from the side of the complex near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Secret Service agents carrying rifles were seen moving through the North Lawn area following the incident and blocking access near the briefing room, CNN reported.
Through the chaos of the moment, the same question hung over the grounds: what exactly was fired—and from where. The details offered so far place the reported sounds at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building side of the complex and near the 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest corner. while authorities worked to confirm what happened.
No injuries or arrests were immediately reported. The story was described as developing, with further updates expected as the FBI and Secret Service continued their investigation.
White House Secret Service FBI Kash Patel lockdown gunfire Eisenhower Executive Office Building 17th Street Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest