LAST UPDATE | 24 May

A GUNMAN WHO opened fire outside the White House was killed following a shootout with US Secret Service agents, during which a bystander was also struck, authorities said.

President Donald Trump was in the White House at the time – having allegedly skipped his son’s wedding to negotiate a deal with Iran – but was not impacted by the incident, Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

A number of gunshots were fired near the White House at around 11.30pm Irish time (6.30pm in Washington DC) when a man near the White House security perimeter “pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing.”

The man fired at Secret Service officers outside the White House before being shot dead, the agency said in a statement. 

“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,” Guglielmi said, without giving details on the bystander’s condition.

The FBI and the Secret Service attended the scene. Police cordoned off access to the White House and security forces swarmed the area around the building. 

Police investigate after shots were fired after a suspect approached a security checkpoint near the White House. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Journalists who were on the north lawn of the White House said that they were ordered to run and shelter in the White House press briefing room. 

One reporter who was working on the White House grounds at the time said she heard what sounded like “dozens of gunshots”. 

Trump said the man had “a violent history and possible obsession” with the White House.

“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 on Truth Social early Sunday.

Multiple US media identified the suspect as Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland, reporting that Best had a history of mental health concerns and had multiple prior interactions with Secret Service members.

Additional reporting from Sophie Finn.