Shooting near the White House triggers high alert in Washington

Washington : A shooting incident near the White House in Washington, D.C., early Sunday morning has raised serious security concerns, prompting authorities to place the area on high alert. The incident occurred near Lafayette Park, located directly across from the White House. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported, but the suspect remains at large and an active search operation is underway.

Following the incident, the U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police, launched a joint operation. Several blocks in the vicinity were sealed off as law enforcement agencies began searching for a suspect and a vehicle believed to be involved. Authorities have not yet disclosed any details regarding the identity of the suspect or the motive behind the shooting. Lafayette Park, notably, has been closed for the past few weeks due to ongoing repairs and is currently surrounded by barricades.

At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was inside the White House. On April 5, 2026, he had a scheduled visit to Memorial Circle, where plans for an “Independence Arch” are under consideration. He later traveled to his Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. The day concluded with a private Easter dinner at the White House with his family. Despite the incident, officials stated that operations inside the White House continued as usual, although security measures have been significantly tightened.

In recent times, there has been an uptick in security-related incidents involving the President. Just last week, F-16 fighter jets were deployed near Palm Beach International Airport in Florida after a suspicious aircraft lost contact, with Air Force One present at the airport. In a prior incident in July 2024, an attempted attack during a campaign rally saw a bullet pass close to the President. Additionally, a suspect named Ryan Routh was arrested for allegedly plotting an attack near the President’s golf club.

Authorities remain vigilant as investigations continue and security across the U.S. capital has been further reinforced.