A U.S. Secret Service crime scene investigator works at the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
A gunman exchanged fire with Secret Service agents near the Washington Monument on Monday, hitting a teenage bystander in the crossfire, according to officials.
The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was shot and taken into custody after he opened fire on agents who had approached him on the National Mall, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn told reporters, according to The New York Times. A teenage bystander was also taken to a hospital.
Agents approached the armed man, who then fled before turning and firing at them, Quinn said. Agents returned fire and apprehended the suspect. Moments later, Vice President JD Vance's motorcade passed the scene.
President Donald Trump was holding an event at the White House at the time of the shooting. Secret Service agents ordered reporters on the North Lawn to immediately retreat to the press briefing room.
The shooting comes less than two weeks after a gunman stormed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. In that incident, a Secret Service agent's bulletproof vest was struck in the attack, which officials said was targeting administration officials.