Shooting Near White House Puts Secret Service on Alert

No injuries reported as authorities search for possible vehicle and person of interest.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:50pm

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The Secret Service is on heightened alert after a shooting early Sunday near Lafayette Park, just north of the White House, where President Trump is staying for the weekend. No injuries were reported, and the person who fired the gun is still at large. The Secret Service said operations at the White House remain normal, but a heightened security posture is in place as the investigation continues.

Why it matters

The shooting near the White House is the latest security scare in recent weeks, coming after an incident last weekend where authorities scrambled an F-16 fighter jet at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida, where Trump has his Mar-a-Lago residence. The Secret Service remains on heightened alert due to the proximity of the shooting to the White House.

The details

The shooting is believed to have taken place just after midnight Sunday. The Secret Service said it is 'actively seeking a possible vehicle and a person of interest' in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police. Lafayette Park has been fenced off for weeks because of ongoing renovations.

  • The shooting occurred just after midnight on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • Trump remained at the White House this weekend.

The players

Secret Service

The U.S. Secret Service is the federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for protecting the president, the vice president, and other high-ranking officials, as well as investigating financial crimes.

Metropolitan Police Department

The Metropolitan Police Department is the law enforcement agency for the District of Columbia, responsible for policing the nation's capital.

U.S. Park Police

The U.S. Park Police is a law enforcement agency within the National Park Service that is responsible for protecting the national parks, monuments, and other federally owned lands in the United States.

President Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, staying at the White House for the weekend.

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What’s next

The Secret Service has not released the name of a vehicle or person of interest, and the circumstances and reason behind the shooting are not yet clear. The investigation is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the heightened security measures in place around the White House and the president, as well as the ongoing challenges the Secret Service faces in protecting high-profile individuals and locations from potential threats.