A security operation was deployed this Monday, May 4, at the intersection of the 15th Street and Independence Avenuenear the Washington Monument and the White House, after the Secret Service reported an officer-involved shooting. The authorities asked to avoid the area while the circumstances of the incident are investigated.
The incident occurred while the president donald trump He was participating in a ceremony with small business owners in the East Room of the White House. The activity was not suspended, although journalists who were in the gardens of the complex were temporarily transferred to the press room as part of the security protocol.
The authorities had not immediately reported the health status of the person shot or the causes that led to the confrontation. Local media reported that a man adult was taken to a hospital and a teenager was treated for minor injuries.
🇺🇸It is reported that White House Reporters had to run, guarded by the Secret Service towards the press room, after a reported shooting just 4 blocks away.⚠️ President Trump is inside the place at an event. pic.twitter.com/zOEjedxKWK
— Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) May 4, 2026
Authorities investigate the incident
The Secret Service confirmed that personnel from that agency participated in the operation near the National Mallan area with a high tourist influx and close to federal buildings. According to the first reports, the incident would have involved an armed person, although that version remains under official investigation.
Washington Police and emergency forces went to the area, where road closures and traffic restrictions were established. The authorities indicated that the population should avoid the sector while the proceedings continued.
The temporary confinement of reporters in the White House was applied as a preventive measure. According to reports from Washington, the journalists were transferred to a safe area until they were authorized to return to their usual positions.
🇺🇸 An individual was just shot by law enforcement near the Washington Monument. The White House was briefly locked down.
This is the second major security incident in Washington in under 2 weeks. The last one was the Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
Something is happening to… https://t.co/wTcVafaIte pic.twitter.com/kROqjDMsa5
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 4, 2026
The event did not alter Trump’s immediate public agenda, who continued with the planned event at the White House. So far, no injured officers have been reported.
Second recent security incident in Washington
The incident occurred a few days after another security incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, recorded on April 26, when an armed man was accused of trying to attack the president, according to American press reports.
The authorities have not established a relationship between the two cases. Since this is preliminary information, details about identity of the person shot, his state of health and the causes of the incident remain pending official confirmation.
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