WASHINGTON, D.C. / New York May 23, 2026 – – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani of New York City issued a statement late Saturday condemning an exchange of gunfire near the White House that left a suspect dead and a bystander wounded.
“I’m horrified that gunshots have been fired near the White House and grateful to the Secret Service for their swift response,” Mamdani posted on X. “There is no room for political violence in our democracy.”
The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. ET on May 23, 2026, at a Secret Service checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, one block from the White House. According to the Secret Service, a male suspect approached the checkpoint, pulled a handgun from a bag, and opened fire on officers.
Secret Service officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. A bystander was also wounded in the shooting. No officers were injured. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time and was briefed on the incident. The White House was briefly placed on lockdown before the all-clear was given.
Reporters on the North Lawn described hearing 15 to 30 gunshots and being rushed inside for shelter. The FBI and Secret Service are investigating the shooting. The suspect’s identity and motive have not yet been publicly released.
Mamdani, who became New York City’s first Muslim mayor after winning the 2025 election as a progressive Democrat, has faced criticism in some quarters for the wording of his statement, with some online commentators noting he did not explicitly mention President Trump by name or reference the president’s safety.
The shooting comes amid heightened national tensions following the 2024 presidential election and ongoing debates over political rhetoric and public safety.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments as more information becomes available from law enforcement.
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