Suspect taken to hospital after shooting in Washington
Published May 5, 2026
The U.S. Secret Service said it fired back and injured a gunman near the White House, triggering a temporary lockdown.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has launched an investigation following Monday’s shooting. The incident comes after an attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last month.
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Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said the shooting occurred after plainclothes officers identified a “suspicious person” believed to be in possession of a firearm. Officers briefly pursued the man and called for backup. When uniformed Secret Service agents arrived, the suspect attempted to flee and opened fire. The officers returned fire and the man was injured and taken to hospital. The murder weapon was recovered from the suspect.
A child was shot during the exchange, but his injuries were not life-threatening. It’s unclear who shot the minor, but investigators believe he was hit by the suspect, Quinn said.
Quinn said the Secret Service would “look into” whether the gunman was targeting President Trump.
The Secret Service also said there was no evidence the suspect intended to target the motorcade of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, which had passed by shortly before the incident.
Recent Attempts on Trump’s Life
On April 25, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the Correspondents’ Association Dinner after a gunman allegedly attempted to assassinate the president. This incident is believed to be the third assassination attempt against President Trump since 2024.
The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, 31, is in custody and charged with attempting to kill President Trump, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegally transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines. He was arrested on suspicion of firing a shotgun into the stairs leading to the banquet hall.
Investigators also accuse Allen of shooting and killing a Secret Service agent who was wearing a bulletproof vest. He has not yet entered a plea.
