JUST IN: Shooter Down After Firing Photographs In the direction of White House
Fox News is reporting that a gunman was neutralized by Secret Service agents after firing multiple towards the White House, Fox News correspondent Chad Pergram reported.
The incident unfolded at approximately 6:04 p.m. Eastern Time as reporters and crew conducted live shots from the North Lawn, located not far from the scene of the shooting at the corner of 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Pergram reported that the gunman approached a checkpoint along the White House perimeter armed with a handgun, but did not breach it. He then fired multiple shots towards the direction of Secret Service personnel positioned out front, and was immediately met with return fire.
The gunman as struck by Secret Service agents and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. One bystander was also reportedly struck by gunfire and their condition is unknown at this time, according to reports from multiple media outlets.
President Donald Trump and senior members of his cabinet — a number of whom are at the White House due to ongoing negotiations in the Iran conflict — were confirmed safe not long after shots rang out. The White House remained on lockdown following the incident, though it was eventually lifted around 6:46 p.m. Eastern Time.
“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 said in a statement. No injuries to law enforcement were reported as a result of the shooting.
ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang was filming a social video when the gunfire began. In raw footage she captured and shared widely, Wang is seen mid-sentence before shots were clearly heard, causing the reporter and her team to frantically seek cover.
“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 posted on social media after reaching safety.
President Donald Trump has not yet issued a comment on the incident.
This is a developing story. Additional details will be provided as they become available.