Secret Service officers shot and killed a person who the agency said approached a security checkpoint Saturday near the White House and fired at them, according to an agency spokesperson.

Shortly before 6pm ET (10am NZST), an individual approached a checkpoint just outside the White House complex and began firing at officers, the spokesperson said, citing a preliminary investigation.

Secret Service officers returned fire and hit the suspect, who later died at an area hospital, the spokesperson said.

"During the shooting, a bystander was also struck by gunfire. It remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect's initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire," the spokesperson added.

Secret Service personnel were not injured, and President Donald Trump was in the residence and unaffected, the spokerson said. He's been briefed on the incident by the Secret Service, a White House official said.

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

CNN reporters heard what appeared to be dozens of gunshots near the White House shortly after 6pm ET (10am NZST), triggering a roughly 40-minute lockdown for the press on the grounds and a rapid response from the Secret Service.

The sounds of gunfire broke out nearly an hour after a press lid had been called at 5.06 pm ET (9.06am NZST) - a signal that reporters were not expecting to see Trump again for the remainder of the day. By that point, many journalists and White House press staff had already departed the complex.

An armed Secret Service agent reacts at the White House in Washington, DC, after gunshots were apparently heard on May 23, 2026. Photo: AFP / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

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

Secret Service agents carrying rifles could be seen moving through the North Lawn area following the incident and blocking the White House press briefing room. The lockdown was lifted just after 6.45pm ET (10.45am NZST).

CNN has reached out to the White House, DC Metropolitan Police, and the DC Fire and EMS Department for comment.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the agency "is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds - we will update the public as we're able."

Selina Wang, ABC News' chief White House correspondent, posted a video on X showing the moment the apparent shots rang out and she ducked for cover.

"I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now," she posted.

The incident comes less than a month after the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where reporters and Trump administration officials ducked for cover as shots rang out.

The suspect in that shooting, Cole Tomas Allen, sprinted through a security checkpoint with a shotgun in hand, exchanging fire with Secret Service agents who chased behind him, according to security footage. He has pleaded not guilty to attempting to assassinate Trump and to other charges.

- CNN