At least 2 people shot near the White House, including a possible suspect, officials say

WASHINGTON — The White House was briefly locked down on Saturday evening after gunfire erupted nearby, injuring at least two people, according to four law enforcement officials briefed on the matter.

One person is in grave condition, the officials said.

One of the individuals is believed to be a suspect, but it isn’t clear if the second person is also a suspect or a bystander, the officials said.

The investigation shows that the U.S. Secret Service engaged with the suspect and fired at the person, according to two senior officials briefed on the matter.

Those officials say that at this early juncture there doesn’t appear to be any injuries to Secret Service agents.

The Secret Service said on X it was aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and is “working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground.”

An NBC News team at the White House heard between 20 and 30 gunshots around 6:04 p.m., and Secret Service agents urged reporters who were gathered outside on the North Lawn to run inside the press briefing room.

The Secret Service was posted just outside the room with guns drawn as the White House went into lockdown.

The lockdown, which included the White House grounds, was lifted at 6:46 p.m.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the FBI is on the scene and supporting the Secret Service.

President Donald Trump is in the White House. Vice President JD Vance was confirmed to be at the White House earlier today, but it is unclear if he is still there or if he had left prior to the incident.

The U.S. Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for information on the situation.