Suspect shot after firing at officers on National Mall

A suspect opened fire on the National Mall near the Washington Monument May 4 after being confronted by officers, prompting Secret Service personnel to return fire and wound the individual, authorities said.

At a press briefing following the incident, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn said the armed suspect fired in the direction of officers, according to Fox News. 

A juvenile bystander was also struck by a bullet fired by the suspect, Quinn said. The shooter was shot by law enforcement and taken to a hospital. The suspect’s condition was not known at time of publication. 

The incident occurred around 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW, a few blocks from the White House. The White House was briefly locked down as a precaution. President Donald Trump was inside participating in a small business event, which continued without interruption. Secret Service officers ushered journalists who had been outside into a briefing room.

Eyewitness clips show bystanders running or walking quickly away from the area as the chaos erupted. 

Quinn said Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade had passed through the area shortly before the confrontation, but it is not yet known whether the vice president was the target.

The Secret Service described the event as resulting from a confrontation between an armed individual and Secret Service personnel.

The incident occurred about a week after the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting involving suspect Cole Tomas Allen, who allegedly tried to storm the event and was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump, as Zeale News reported.