Mencekam! Baku Tembak Meletus di Dekat Gedung Putih, 2 Orang Terluka

JAKARTA - A tense situation hit the United States' ring one area after a massive shooting incident erupted near the White House complex on Saturday afternoon local time. Two people were reported injured in the incident, which immediately triggered tight security at the US government center.

Based on information from local law enforcement officers, quoted by WINIK on Sunday, May 24 morning, the injured victims consisted of a man suspected of being the perpetrator of the shooting and one civilian who was around the scene of the incident.

The two were immediately evacuated using an ambulance to the nearest hospital. The perpetrator was said to be in critical condition, while the civilian victim suffered serious injuries.

The incident began when the perpetrator approached the security post area outside the White House and suddenly fired at the Secret Service officer who was on duty. In response to the threat, the president's bodyguard immediately fired back to disable the perpetrator.

The shootout was quite intense and triggered panic around the location. A number of eyewitnesses and journalists in the field claimed to have heard about 20 gunshots shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time.

The sound of gunfire is said to come from an area near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is on the side of the White House complex.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said his party was conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. The Secret Service is currently still collecting witness statements and matching information from agents who were directly involved in handling the incident.

FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed that federal teams had been deployed to assist in the investigation and security process at the scene.

Public concerns were directed at President Donald Trump's safety. However, the White House ensured that the President was in a safe condition. White House spokesman Steven Cheung said Trump was indeed in the White House complex until the afternoon before the incident, but was not in the area directly affected.

No Secret Service agents were reported injured in the incident.

The atmosphere of panic was also felt by journalists who were on duty in the White House area. CBS News producer Emma Nicholson revealed that she and the crew immediately fell to the ground after hearing a series of shots, before being evacuated by security personnel to a safe room inside the White House complex.

The incident once again triggered security alarms in Washington D.C. because it happened just weeks after the case of breaking into the outer security area during the annual White House correspondent dinner.

Until now, federal security forces are still investigating the motives of the perpetrator and ensuring whether there is any connection with other security threats against the United States government.