Shooting Near White House: Suspect and Bystander Wounded
shooting near White House May 23 2026
A chaotic security incident unfolded outside the White House on the evening of Saturday, May 23, 2026, when a suspect opened fire on a U.S. Secret Service security booth. The confrontation, which occurred near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, prompted an immediate lockdown of the complex and sent journalists and staff scrambling for cover.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that Secret Service agents returned fire, striking the suspect, who was subsequently transported to a local hospital. A bystander was also reported wounded in the exchange, though authorities confirmed that no Secret Service agents sustained injuries during the event.
The incident began at approximately 6:00 p.m. ET, when a suspect approached a security checkpoint and began firing. Witnesses reported hearing between 15 and 30 gunshots, leading the Secret Service to clear the White House North Lawn and direct members of the media to shelter inside the press briefing room. CBS News and other outlets reported that the area was cordoned off by a significant police and National Guard presence shortly after the shooting began.
The lockdown remained in effect for nearly an hour before authorities cleared the immediate perimeter.
While President Donald Trump had been at the White House earlier that afternoon to continue high-stakes negotiations regarding a potential peace deal with Iran, it remained unclear if he was in the residence at the exact moment the shots were fired.
Preliminary reports from officials indicate that the suspect, who has not been publicly named, may have been an emotionally disturbed individual with a prior “stay-away” order. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that an investigation into the suspect’s motives and history is currently underway.
This event marks the latest in a series of security concerns surrounding the White House in recent months. The Secret Service continues to evaluate the breach at the 17th Street checkpoint as they review security protocols. Additional updates regarding the conditions of the wounded individuals and the final results of the ongoing federal investigation are expected to be released as authorities process the scene. For continued coverage of this developing story, monitor live reporting from Reuters and the Jerusalem Post.
