Police and members of the Secret Service stand near an EMS truck after blocking streets around the White House, in Washington on May 23, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (May 24, 2026) that the gunman who opened fire on Secret Service officers outside the White House had a “violent history and possible obsession” with the building.
“Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
A person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials.
The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement late on Saturday (May 23, 2026) that, according to a preliminary investigation, the person approached a checkpoint shortly after 6 p.m. ET, “removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers”.
Officers returned fire and hit the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died, according to the Secret Service.
A bystander was struck, but a law enforcement official said it wasn’t clear whether that person was struck by the suspect’s initial bullets or those fired subsequently by officers.
Secret Service said none of its officers were injured, and that President Donald Trump – who was at the White House at the time – was not “impacted.” Journalists working at the White House on Saturday (May 23) reported hearing a series of gunshots and were told to seek shelter inside the press briefing room.
(WIth inputs from AP)
Published – May 24, 2026 11:09 am IST
