The White House North Lawn was cleared by Secret Service on Saturday, May 23, 2026 evening after the sound of apparent gunshots near the White House.
The sound of dozens of gunshots rang out outside the White House on Saturday evening, causing media and other people there to scramble for safety as the building was reportedly put on lockdown.
Members of the press were told by Secret Service to gather on the north lawn and to run into the press briefing room shortly before 6:30 p.m.
“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” said Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
It wasn’t clear the source of the apparent gunfire.
