WASHINGTON : The White House was placed under lockdown Saturday evening after approximately 20 to 30 gunshots were heard near the complex, prompting Secret Service agents to rush journalists inside the briefing room with weapons drawn.
According to NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin, who was on the scene, the shots were heard outside the White House, and agents immediately ordered those gathered on the North Lawn to run inside the press briefing room.
“Gunshots heard outside of the White House. Approximately 20-30. Secret Service told those of us gathered on the north lawn to run inside the press briefing room,” Tsirkin posted on X .
She later added that the White House was “now on lockdown,” sharing an image showing armed officers stationed outside the press briefing doors .
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang described the chaos in real time, noting that she was recording a social media video on the North Lawn when the shots rang out.
“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,” Wang wrote on X .
According to CBS News reporters, the shots appeared to come from the side of the White House complex containing the Eisenhower Executive Office Building . Secret Service agents carrying rifles were seen moving through the North Lawn area and securing the press briefing room .
A Secret Service official told CNN that the agency was investigating reports of “shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW” and working to corroborate information with personnel on the ground .
President Trump was at the White House as of 4 p.m., according to White House spokesperson Steven Cheung .
As of now, no official confirmation has been released regarding casualties, arrests, or whether the reported gunfire posed a direct threat to the White House complex. The incident remains under investigation
