Large police presence around White House after reports of shots fired
Published May 24, 2026
- Security forces flood White House area.
- Police block access near White House complex.
- FBI joins probe near White House perimeter.
Police and security forces swarmed the area around the White House on Saturday evening after reports of shots fired, AFP journalists said.
US President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time as he worked to negotiate a deal with Iran.
Police cordoned off access to the White House and National Guard troops blocked an AFP reporter from entering the area.
Journalists who were on the North Lawn at the time said on X that they were ordered to run and shelter in the White House press briefing room.
The US Secret Service on Saturday said it was aware of reports of shots fired in Washington, DC, at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW near the White House and was working to corroborate those reports with personnel on the ground.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI was on scene supporting the Secret Service.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
