Secret Service Shoots Armed Man Near White House as Gunfire Erupts

Secret Service officers shot and wounded an armed man near the White House after he ran from agents, drew a firearm and opened fire during an attempted encounter, with a child bystander also injured.

By Myles Miller

Source Bloomberg News

May 5, 2026

2 min read

What to know

Secret Service officers shot and wounded an armed man Monday afternoon near the White House after he ran, drew a weapon and fired at agents during an attempted encounter.
The suspect was spotted by plainclothes agents patrolling the outer perimeter who reported seeing the outline of a concealed firearm before calling in uniformed Secret Service police, Deputy Director Matt Quinn said.
A child bystander was also injured during the exchange, with investigators believing the child was struck by rounds fired by the suspect, not officers, Quinn said.

Secret Service shooting near White House — Police officials inspect the crime scene following an exchange of gunfire by the Secret Service and a gunman on the National Mall on Monday in Washington, D.C. Police say a gunman shot at a Secret Service agent and wounded a bystander before being shot by police.

A man was shot by Secret Service officers near the White House Monday afternoon after agents spotted him carrying a concealed firearm and he opened fire, according to the agency’s deputy director.

Plainclothes surveillance agents patrolling the outer perimeter of the White House complex spotted what they described as a visible outline of a firearm on the suspect and called in uniformed Secret Service police to make contact, Deputy Director Matt Quinn said at a briefing.

The suspect ran, drew a weapon and shot at the officers, who returned fire, striking him. He was taken to an area hospital. His condition was not disclosed.

A child bystander was also hit during the exchange and was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Quinn said. Investigators believe the child was hit by the suspect, not by officers, though Quinn said the matter would be part of an ensuing investigation.

The shooting occurred less than two weeks after the Secret Service stopped an armed man who rushed into a Washington gala attended by President Donald Trump and top administration officials.

Quinn pointed out that Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade had driven through the area shortly before the shooting. He said there was no indication the suspect was targeting the motorcade, but that investigators would look into his intent.

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