The U.S. Secret Service is actively investigating reports of a shooting near the White House, happening just weeks after the incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“We are aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and are working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available,” the Secret Service tweeted on Saturday, May 23.
A representative from the Secret Service informed Us Weekly that they are in the process of collecting details and will release more information soon.
“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 shortly after the incident.
CNN reported that reporters on the ground heard gunfire coming from the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest in Washington, D.C., with speculation that the gunfire may have emanated from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building side of the White House.
ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang shared video of her live report from the premises being interrupted by what appeared to be loud sounds of gunfire. She ducked for cover before the video footage cut off.
“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,” Yang, 33, tweeted. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
Reporters were reportedly told to shelter in place while locked down in the White House press briefing room.
Us reached out to the White House for comment.
This latest incident occurred just shy of one month after Cole Tomas Allen allegedly opened fire in the lobby of the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25. Allen, 31, allegedly struck a Secret Service agent in crossfire before he was apprehended. (The White House later confirmed the Secret Agent was shot in his protective vest but taken to a local hospital for treatment.)
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and numerous other administration officials were inside the Washington Hilton ballroom at the time of the shooting and were quickly evacuated.
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was seen being rushed from the ballroom in tears moments after the shooting. Kirk, 37, later called the shooting “another traumatic example of the evil in our country and the continued rise in political violence.” (Erika’s husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. A 22-year-old man was later charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. He has yet to enter a plea.)
Following Allen’s arrest, he was charged with attempting to assassinate the president, interstate transportation of weapons and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime. He pleaded not guilty during a May 11 court hearing.
