White House placed under brief lockdown following nearby shooting

On May 5, 2026, the White House was placed under a precautionary lockdown for approximately 20 minutes following reports of gunfire near the presidential residence. Reports differ regarding the exact location; some sources indicate the incident occurred at the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue, while others describe it as being a few blocks away. President Donald Trump was inside the building when the incident took place. During the lockdown, the U.S. Secret Service evacuated journalists from the North Lawn and relocated them to the White House briefing room. The measure was implemented to ensure the safety of staff and officials. By 23:00 Cyprus time, the situation had stabilized and the lockdown was lifted. Authorities have provided limited details regarding the nature of the encounter, though one report noted an officer fired at an individual.