Just after 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, between 20 and 30 gunshots were reported near the White House complex, sending reporters on the North Lawn running for cover and triggering an immediate lockdown. The shots came weeks after the Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
ABC White House Correspondent Selina Wang was recording a video on her phone when it happened. “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,” she posted on X. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
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. pic.twitter.com/iqdQwh4soq
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 23, 2026
NewsNation correspondent Chris Flanagan was equally direct. “Shots fired at the White House. I heard about 30 shots. Secret Service rushed us into press briefing room,” he wrote. NBC reporter Julie Tsirkin confirmed: “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.”
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Inside the White House, reporters already present were told to shelter in place as Secret Service agents shouted “get down” and announced “shots fired.” Armed agents carrying rifles were seen moving across the North Lawn. One reporter was cut off mid-sentence live on OAN when the shots rang out. The shots appeared to come from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building side of the White House complex.
Trump was inside the White House at the time, having spent the afternoon in the Oval Office with Middle Eastern officials for talks on the Iran war.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on X that the FBI was on scene supporting the Secret Service response. The White House press office has not issued a statement.
FBI Director Kash Patel:
“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.” pic.twitter.com/DOUanj9GsN
— Global Peace Advocates🕊️ (@GlobalPeaceA0) May 23, 2026
The lockdown was lifted just before 6:50 p.m. ET. No injuries have been confirmed and no suspect has been identified. The incident comes less than a month after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, injuring a Secret Service agent.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
