WASHINGTON, D.C. May 23, 2026 — Multiple gunshots rang out near the White House North Lawn on Saturday evening, May 23, 2026, prompting Secret Service agents to order journalists and staff to sprint for cover inside the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang was filming a social media video on the North Lawn when the incident unfolded. “I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone… when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” Wang reported. “We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
Witnesses and reporters described hearing approximately 20-30 shots. Video footage from the scene showed press members running across the lawn as agents secured the area, with snipers visible on the White House roof. DC Fire and EMS units responded to the vicinity of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
As of late Saturday evening, the White House remains in lockdown. No immediate reports of injuries, a suspect in custody, or the exact origin of the gunfire have been confirmed by officials. The Secret Service has not yet issued a full statement, and the FBI is expected to lead the investigation.
This latest security scare comes just weeks after the April 25, 2026, shooting incident outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton. In that event, a suspect identified as Cole Tomas Allen allegedly opened fire near a security checkpoint, leading to the evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other top officials.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available from law enforcement and White House officials.
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