White House Lockdown After Reports of Gunshots Near Complex

WASHINGTON (AP) The White House was placed on lockdown Saturday evening after the sound of dozens of gunshots rang out near the complex, prompting Secret Service agents to rush members of the press corps inside and secure the building.

The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern Time, with multiple reporters on the North Lawn reporting hearing between 20 and 30 shots. The sounds appeared to originate from the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building side of the White House complex.

Secret Service agents carrying rifles were seen moving through the North Lawn area and blocking the entrance to the White House press briefing room. Agents shouted for reporters to get down and shelter in place. Members of the press who had been conducting live broadcasts and filming social media videos were told to sprint into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room for safety.

ABC News White House Correspondent Selina Wang was in the middle of recording a video for social media when the gunfire erupted. She described hearing dozens of shots and being told to run to the briefing room. Other reporters on the scene gave similar accounts,...