White House suicide lockdown
Man dies of gunshot wounds
THE White House went into lockdown last night as a man reportedly shot himself in front of the building.
The shocking suicide, said to have taken place among a crowd of tourists by the railings, triggered a major security alert.
US Secret Servicemen rushed the man who they later said had “allegedly suffered a selfinflicted gunshot wound”.
Paramedics arrived at the scene in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue but couldn’t save him. They did not reveal any details of the injuries or his identity.
President Donald Trump was away from the White House at the time at his Mar-aLago estate in Florida. But he and Melania were scheduled to return to Washington last night to attend a dinner.
Traffic in the area was brought to a standstill and reporters in the White House were rushed to a basement area during the emergency.
The secret service later tweeted: “No other reported injuries related to the incident at the White House.” The scare came just a week after a car smashed into a security barrier near the President’s official home and workplace, which ended with officers arresting and charging the 35-year-old driver.
Mr Trump later tweeted after the security incident, but made no reference to the shooting. Instead he ranted about trade war with the European Union.
A White House spokesman said: “we are aware of the situation. The President has been briefed”.’
karen.rockett@ sundaymirror.co.uk