Gunshots near White House prompt security response; journalists evacuated

The area surrounding the White House was disrupted on the evening of May 23 by a series of gunshots, leading to an immediate security response. Secret Service personnel quickly evacuated journalists who were near the North Lawn, directing them to the safety of the White House press briefing room.

At the time of the incident, President Trump was reportedly inside the White House. Media personnel working at the scene reported hearing dozens of shots fired, accompanied by urgent commands from Secret Service agents shouting "Get down" and "Shots fired." Following the evacuation, the press briefing room was locked down by agents as a precautionary measure, with the lockdown being lifted around 6:45 PM.

The Secret Service confirmed they had received reports of the shooting occurring on Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street NW, just one block from the White House. Agents were on the scene verifying information. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the FBI had dispatched personnel to support the Secret Service, and law enforcement was responding to the shooting. Authorities indicated that updates would be provided to the public as conditions allowed.