WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service shot and killed an individual who opened fire at a White House checkpoint Saturday evening.
A bystander was also shot in the incident, but the Secret Service couldn’t immediately determine how.
The shooting happened shortly after 6 p.m. when a male approached the Secret Service checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, pulled a gun from a bag, and opened fire, the Secret Service said in a statement.
“Secret Service police officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
There was no immediate word on the bystander’s condition.
No Secret Service members were hurt during the incident, which is still under investigation.
The alleged suspect was a 21-year-old who was known to the Secret Service, two law enforcement officials confirmed to FWRD AXIS News. Those same officials also said the suspect had a history of mental health concerns.
At the time of the shooting, Trump was in the Oval Office working with aides Steven Cheung, Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and others, according to a White House Official. Several reporters, who were at the White House, were told to sprint into the White House Press Briefing Room.
The Secret Service briefed Trump about the incident.
In a Truth Social post late Saturday, Trump used the moment to once again push for his new White House ballroom, while also thanking the agents.
“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,” the president wrote.
“This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondent’Dinner shooting, and goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C.,” he added.
