The Secret Service confirmed that an alleged shooter who opened fire at Secret Service agents near the White House has died.
An agency spokesperson also announced on Saturday, May 23, that a bystander was injured during the violent incident and is currently in critical condition. The suspected shooter — who has not been named publicly — allegedly opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington D.C., though no agents were injured.
“Shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, an individual in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Us Weekly on Saturday. “Secret Service Police returned fire, striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting, one bystander was also struck by gunfire.”
The statement concluded, “No injuries were sustained by officers. The President [Donald Trump] was in the White House during the incident, however no protectees or operations were impacted. The incident remains under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
CNN reported that investigators matched the name of the suspected shooter with someone they’d had “multiple encounters with in and around the White House.”
Us has reached out to the White House and Secret Service for comment.
Earlier in the night, a Secret Service spokesperson confirmed to Us that the agency was “gathering information and will have more on this incident shortly.”
“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,” FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted a short time later.
White House reporters were on the premises when gunfire broke out. They were quickly rushed into the briefing room and locked down for around 40 minutes, per multiple outlets.
“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,” ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang tweeted at the time. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
The incident took place less than one month after shots broke out at the Washington Hilton during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.
President Trump, 79, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and numerous other administration officials were all inside the Hilton’s ballroom when gunfire erupted near the main magnetometer in the lobby. They were all rushed out of the ballroom within moments of the shooting.
Cole Tomas Allen allegedly shot a Secret Service agent in their protective vest during the crossfire, with the agent being rushed to a local hospital for treatment. (Trump told reporters in a briefing that the Secret Service agent was saved by his security vest.)
Allen, 31, was later charged with attempting to assassinate the president, interstate transportation of weapons and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime and pleaded not guilty during a May 11 court hearing.
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