• Multiple reports of gunfire near the White House triggered a significant security response.
• President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the incident.
• Secret Service and FBI are investigating; conditions of the injured are critical.

On May 23, a series of gunshots were reported near the White House, prompting an immediate lockdown as police and security forces responded to the scene. Witnesses noted that journalists located on the North Lawn were ordered to take shelter in the press briefing room due to the unfolding chaos. "It sounded like dozens of gunshots," said ABC News correspondent Selina Wang, who was filming when the shots were heard, according to SCMP, Al Jazeera, and Channel News Asia.

The incident drew a large presence of law enforcement, with both the Secret Service and FBI involved in securing the area and corroborating details from personnel on the ground. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed their involvement in a social media update. "We will update the public as we're able," Patel stated, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

Both the Secret Service and law enforcement engaged with the scene as reports emerged that a person had been shot by the Secret Service, with a bystander also suffering injuries. Initial reports indicated both individuals were in critical condition, according to India Times and Le Monde.

During the lockdown, journalists noted the urgency of the situation, and some were reportedly prevented from leaving secure areas. The entire incident highlights ongoing security concerns surrounding the White House, particularly as President Trump was negotiating international matters at the time, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.