In Washington, a man who opened fire was wounded in a shootout with U.S. Secret Service agents, as well as a bystander. The attacker later died in the hospital.
In Washington, an unknown man opened fire on U.S. Secret Service agents near the White House grounds. The attacker was wounded by return fire and died in the hospital, according to a statement from the Secret Service published on the agency's account on social media platform X on the night of Sunday, May 24.
According to the agency responsible for the protection of the U.S. leadership, on May 23, shortly after six o'clock in the evening local time, a man approached the White House fence with a bag, took out an unspecified weapon, and opened fire on Secret Service agents. The man was wounded by return fire and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No information about the attacker's identity was provided in the Secret Service statement. The agency reported that an investigation is underway and promised to release additional information "when it becomes available."
Another Victim
During the shootout, a bystander was also wounded, but no information about his health condition has been reported. No Secret Service agents were harmed.
The sounds of the initial gunfire were captured on the air of American television channel ABC, whose correspondent Selina Wang was recording a report from the White House grounds at the time. According to the journalist, "it sounded like several dozen shots were fired," after which press representatives were ordered to take cover in the building.
Trump Was in the White House During the Shooting
U.S. President Donald Trump was in the White House during the incident, and it did not affect his work, the Secret Service noted. He has been informed about what happened, a representative of the American leader's administration told the media.
However, the head of the White House, who usually comments on such incidents on his social media platform Truth Social, did not publish any posts regarding the shooting afterward. Trump's last post before the incident was assurances of the imminent end of the war with Iran, and five hours later, he published another post criticizing the Democratic Party of the USA for conducting the 2024 election campaign.
The motives of the man who opened fire near the White House are also unknown. However, this is already the fourth time since 2024 that someone has attacked Trump and his administration or is allegedly preparing an attack on the politician.
In July 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump while he was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania during the election campaign. One of the bullets grazed the Republican's ear, but the injury was minor. The shooter was killed by return fire. In September of the same year, a Secret Service agent discovered an armed man at the fence of a golf club in West Palm Beach, where Trump was playing golf. The suspect fled but was later apprehended.
In April 2026, a man with a weapon attempted to break into the White House Correspondents' Association dinner attended by the head of state and other high-ranking members of his administration, held at the Washington Hilton hotel. The attacker was apprehended. According to CBS News, the man stated that his targets were members of the U.S. administration, although it is claimed that he did not specifically name Trump, reports "Deutsche Welle."
