The white house has been hit by yet another gunman attack for the second time in the same month.
Soon after 6:00 p.m. local time, the man allegedly pulled a gun from a bag and began firing near the heavily guarded White House grounds.
In response, police, federal officials, and National Guard troops blocked off nearby streets, which caused confusion in the area.
Meanwhile, after the gunfire, heavily armed security officers barred access to parts of downtown Washington, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.
Several US media outlets identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland. Reports also indicate that he had a history of mental health concerns and had previously interacted with Secret Service personnel.
Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said that agents shot back right away, immediately killing the suspect.
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.”
Authorities however confirmed that no Secret Service officers were injured during the confrontation.
According to sources, President Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting, but he remained unharmed.
Following the incident, in a post on Truth Social early Sunday, Trump applauded security operatives for their swift response.
BACKSTORY…
On Monday, authorities placed the White House under immediate lockdown after a shooting near 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C.
The gunshot occurred right before President Donald Trump’s news conference, according to reporters on the scene.
President Trump and First Lady Melania were successfully evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday following an attempted attack by a gunman.
Law authorities say that at around 8:36 p.m., a lone suspect with a shotgun, a revolver, and several knives stormed into the hotel lobby area and tried to get past a Secret Service checkpoint.
However, Secret Service agents quickly confronted him, and an exchange of gunfire followed.
