UMVA has learned that a dramatic and terrifying scene unfolded near the White House on Saturday evening, as a gunman opened fire multiple times towards the presidential residence.
The gunman, identified as Nesire Best, was taken down by Secret Service agents after brandishing a pistol and firing approximately 20-30 shots near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
One civilian was unfortunately caught in the crossfire and was hit, but fortunately, President Trump and the Secret Service agents were unharmed.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the gunman was previously known to DC police and had also been on the radar of the Secret Service, having previously attempted to gain access to the White House.
Chaos erupted as the shots were fired, with pool reporters being told to rush inside the press briefing room and members of the press scrambling to seek safety.
ABC News White House Correspondent Selina Wang was in the midst of taping a social media video on her iPhone when the gunfire erupted, and she quickly ducked down for cover.
Witnesses described hearing dozens of gunshots, with one reporter, Chris Flanagan, saying he heard around 30 shots and was quickly rushed into the press briefing room by Secret Service agents.
The White House was swiftly placed on lockdown as the situation was brought under control, with the FBI also responding to the scene to support the Secret Service.
This incident comes just weeks after another armed individual exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents near the White House, and a gunman stormed the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton.
The Secret Service has confirmed that the gunman is deceased, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
