The White House lawn and presidential residence itself have been locked down after dozens of apparent gunshots rang out near the area, as reported by multiple publications and captured in video footage.
FBI director Kash Patel tweeted that federal authorities are on the scene “supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds” and that updates will be provided as soon as possible.
Numerous journalists were already on the scene as part of a press pool, as president Donald Trump had just hours earlier posted on social media from the Oval Office that a peace agreement to end the war in Iran was “largely negotiated.”
Upward of 20 to 30 shots were fired, according to NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin. “Secret service told those of us gathered on the north lawn to run inside the press briefing room,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, ABC News correspondent Selena Wang posted that she had been in the middle of taping a social video when she and her crew were interrupted by the noise of gunfire, immediately ducking down.
“We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,” she said.
Secret Service agents were spotted on the grounds with their weapons drawn, telling reporters to “get down” before being ushered into the West Wing press briefing room, per Fox News. The outlet also said correspondents overheard shots near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
More to come…