The U.S. Secret Service placed the White House on lockdown and evacuated reporters on the evening of May 23 (early morning Hanoi time) after a rapid burst of gunfire erupted at the corner of 17th Street and the northwest stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue — just outside the White House complex.

ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang captured the moment on video, showing her ducking for cover as the shots rang out. She reported hearing what sounded like dozens of rounds, and said the press corps was told to immediately move to the briefing room.

Members of the press who had been gathered on the North Lawn were brought inside and ordered to shelter in place, as Secret Service agents shouted “get down” and issued warnings about an active shooting situation. One reporter noted the sounds appeared to originate near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, part of the White House complex.

Armed agents carrying rifles swept across the North Lawn and secured the press briefing room. At the time, President Donald Trump was inside the White House, engaged in negotiations over a potential deal with Iran.

Police sealed off entrances to the White House, and the National Guard blocked an AFP journalist from entering the area. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency was on the scene assisting the Secret Service in responding to the shooting near White House grounds.

Canadian tourist Reid Adrian, who was nearby when it happened, said he heard around 20 to 25 sounds he initially mistook for fireworks before realizing they were gunshots — and people began to flee.

A official confirmed the suspect had been “neutralized” and transported to George Washington University Hospital, though no details were given on their condition or how they were subdued. The suspect was identified as having a history of mental illness and had previously been under a restraining order.

The lockdown was lifted at 6:45 PM on May 23 (5:45 AM May 24, Hanoi time). Two people were reported injured during the confrontation with Secret Service agents near the White House.

President Trump, 79, has now been the target of three failed assassination attempts. The most recent prior incident occurred on April 25, when an armed man breached a security checkpoint near the room where Trump was attending a media dinner at a hotel in Washington, D.C.