A gunman was shot dead by United States Secret Service agents near the White House on Saturday evening after he opened fire close to the security perimeter, authorities said.
A bystander was also hit during the shoot-out, while no Secret Service officer was injured.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the incident but was not affected, the Secret Service said.
Secret Service communications chief, Anthony Guglielmi, said the incident occurred shortly after 6pm when a man near the White House security perimeter brought out a weapon and started shooting.
The President was reportedly working on negotiations involving Iran at the time.
Guglielmi said, “Secret Service Police returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting, one bystander was also struck by gunfire.”
He did not disclose the condition of the bystander.
Trump Praises Secret Service
Trump, in a post on Truth Social early Sunday, praised the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their response.
“Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure,” Trump said.
Multiple US media reports identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland.
The reports said he had a history of mental health concerns and previous encounters with Secret Service personnel.
Police and security personnel cordoned off the area after the shooting, while National Guard troops blocked access to parts of downtown Washington.
A Canadian tourist, Reid Adrian, told AFP that people ran after hearing repeated gunshots.
“We heard probably 20 to 25 what sounded like fireworks, but they’re gunshots, and then everyone started running,” he said.
Journalists on the White House North Lawn at the time were reportedly ordered to run and take shelter in the press briefing room.
ABC News correspondent, Selina Wang, said she was recording a video when the shots rang out.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” she wrote on 𝕏.
Republicans Condemn Violence
House Republicans, in a post on 𝕏, expressed relief that the President was safe.
They wrote, “Thank God President Trump is safe.
“Endless gratitude to the Secret Service for their immediate, heroic response. Political violence has to stop.”