Days after a terrifying incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner involving an armed man shooting inside the event venue, shots were reportedly fired near the White House on May 4. Per the U.S. Sun, "Chaos erupted near the Washington Monument after Secret Service officers shot an armed suspected [sic], prompting White House reporters to be rushed inside as a precaution."
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They were ushered into a briefing room. Then they were permitted to go back to their former locations. Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, the White House reportedly went into lockdown. The public was temporarily asked to avoid the area.
A Secret Service Official Commented on the Alarming Situation
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday , plainclothes officers allegedly spotted someone who seemed to have a firearm. That is according to Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn. Per the outlet, he explained, "My understanding, they observed a print, we would call it. Visual print of a firearm," Quinn said.
Furthermore, "These are trained surveillance detection personnel out there looking everyday to look for just that not far from the White House complex and they observed the visual print of a firearm."
Uniformed Secret Service officers then were summoned to the scene. According to the outlet, "The suspect ran upon seeing the Secret Service officers and opened fire, striking a bystander. Quinn said the officers returned fire and struck the suspect."
The suspect was taken to a hospital. The person who was struck has what are described as "non-life threatening injuries."
Vice President Vance's Motorcade Had Been in the Area
Prior to the incident, Vice President J.D. Vance's motorcade was proceeding through the vicinity of the National Mall. Quinn of the Secret Service said that it did not seem as if the suspect was aiming at it. However, he said, "We will get to the bottom of that."
This Activity Comes on the Heels of the WHCA Dinner Incident
Tensions are probably high in the wake of the violent incident at the WHCA dinner on April 25. On that evening, a man named Cole Allen allegedly began shooting in the Washington Hilton where the event was being held. Although he did not enter the ballroom, he was perilously near many dignitaries. They included President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and several members of the Cabinet.
