Man killed after opening fire near White House

A man was shot and killed by Secret Service personnel after he opened fire near the White House in Washington on Saturday, the federal agency said, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump was safely inside the presidential compound during the incident.

Shortly after 6 p.m., the man pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue close to the White House, the agency said. Federal officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead.

During the shooting, one bystander was also struck by gunfire, the agency said without elaborating.

“No injuries were sustained by officers. The president was in the White House during the incident, however no protectees or operations were impacted," the Secret Service said in a statement posted on X. "This incident remains under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available."

Reports said that when gunfire began, reporters covering the White House were rushed into the presidential complex.

The incident came less than a month after Trump was escorted out of the annual White House correspondents' dinner at a hotel in Washington following gunfire. The alleged shooter was apprehended.

Yonhap