Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
A major security incident unfolded near the White House on Saturday evening when reports of multiple gunshots triggered a swift lockdown response from law enforcement agencies. The US Secret Service confirmed that shots were fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the presidential grounds, where US President Donald Trump was engaged in negotiations concerning Iran. The area was cordoned off, and a significant police presence was established to manage the situation, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.
As the gunfire erupted, journalists covering the event were instructed to seek refuge quickly, moving from the North Lawn to the press briefing room. ABC News correspondent Selina Wang recalled, "It sounded like dozens of gunshots," describing the chaos as she filmed a segment just moments before the incident. Another eyewitness mentioned that the initial sounds resembled fireworks before panic ensued among the crowd, leading to a hasty evacuation by reporters, according to India Times and India Times.
The incident escalated when a suspect was reportedly shot by the Secret Service, and a bystander was also injured during the chaos. Authorities indicated that the suspect had pulled a weapon from a bag and began firing before being neutralized. No injuries were reported among officers or journalists at the scene, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.