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Secret Service kills gunman after White House shooting scare

U.S. Secret Service agents shot and killed a man near the White House in Washington on Saturday after reports of gunfire triggered a lockdown around the presidential complex.

Officials said a bystander was wounded and the FBI responded to assist as the area was secured. The incident matters because it raised immediate security concerns at one of the most protected sites in the United States.

U.S. Officials

Authorities said the Secret Service responded to gunfire near the White House grounds and neutralized the suspect. They said the president was not affected and that federal investigators were on scene to help assess what happened.

Witnesses and Press

Reporters and people nearby described hearing rapid shots before being moved to shelter inside the White House complex. Some bystanders said the scene turned chaotic quickly as security officers ordered people to get down and move inside.

  • The White House sits on Pennsylvania Avenue, one of Washington’s best-known ceremonial streets.
  • The Secret Service was created in 1865 and originally focused on fighting currency counterfeiting.
  • The White House has been attacked or breached in several historic incidents, making perimeter security a constant concern.
Secret Service kills gunman after White House shooting scare | Implica