The United States Secret Service is conducting an investigation into a shooting that took place early Sunday morning near Lafayette Park, which is situated directly in front of the White House in Washington D.C.
The event unfolded shortly after midnight when Secret Service Police officers responded to reports of gunshots in the vicinity, as reported by EFE.
"Just after midnight, Secret Service Police officers responded to reports of gunfire near Lafayette Park," confirmed agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi via social media.
Officers carried out an "extensive search" of the park and surrounding areas but were unable to locate any suspects. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Authorities are actively searching for a person of interest linked to a getaway vehicle, in collaboration with the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police, according to ABC News.
As a precautionary measure, several nearby streets were temporarily closed, including H Street NW, I Street NW, and 16th Street NW.
Guglielmi noted that normal activities at the White House were not disrupted, although heightened security measures were implemented in the area. President Donald Trump was present in the presidential residence during the incident.
Historical Context of Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square is a historic park of approximately 28,191 square meters, managed by the National Park Service and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. At the time of the incident, the park was fenced off due to ongoing renovation work.
The incident occurs amid heightened security alert in the nation's capital.
The most severe and recent incident occurred on November 26, 2025, when an Afghan national opened fire on National Guard members patrolling near the Farragut West metro station, just a few blocks from the White House. This attack resulted in the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.
The investigation into this Sunday's shooting remains ongoing, and the motive behind the gunfire has yet to be determined.
Key Information About the Recent White House Area Shooting
What happened near the White House on Sunday morning?
A shooting incident occurred near Lafayette Park, in front of the White House, shortly after midnight. Secret Service officers responded to reports of gunfire, but no suspects or injuries were found.
Were there any injuries reported in the shooting?
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the shooting incident near the White House.
Is there a suspect identified in the incident?
Authorities are actively searching for a person of interest associated with a getaway vehicle, but no suspect has been apprehended yet.