Man who fired shots at agents near the White House was killed

Secret Service agents shot dead an individual who, according to the agency, approached a security checkpoint near the White House on Saturday night (23) and shot at them, according to an agency spokesperson.

Shortly before 6pm local time (7pm in Brasília), an individual approached a security checkpoint on the outskirts of the complex and began shooting at officers, the spokesperson said, citing a preliminary investigation.

The agents returned fire and struck the suspect, who later died at a local hospital, the spokesperson said.

"During the shooting, a pedestrian was also struck by gunfire. It is not yet clear whether the pedestrian was struck by the suspect's initial shots or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire," the spokesperson added.

Secret Service agents were not injured, and US President Donald Trump was at the residence and was not affected, the spokesman said. He was briefed on the incident by the Secret Service, a White House official said.

The pedestrian is in critical condition, according to a law enforcement official.

CNN reporters heard what sounded like dozens of gunshots near the White House at the time, prompting a roughly 40-minute press lockdown at the scene and a rapid Secret Service response.

The sounds of gunshots began nearly an hour after the press curfew was enacted at 5:06 p.m. - a sign that reporters did not expect to see Trump again for the rest of the day. By this time, many journalists and White House press staff had already left the complex.

Members of the press on the North Lawn were rushed to the White House press room. Inside the White House, reporters were told to take shelter as Secret Service agents shouted "get down" and warned of "shots fired."

Secret Service agents carrying assault rifles were seen roaming the North Lawn area after the incident and blocking the White House press room. The blockade was lifted shortly after 6:45 pm (7:45 pm in Brasília).

CNN has reached out to the White House, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police and the Washington D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services for comment.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency "is on scene and supporting the Secret Service in responding to the shooting near the White House - we will update the public as soon as possible."

Source: CNN