Gunman opens fire at U.S. Embassy in Lebanon and is shot by army

A gunman opened fire at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon early Wednesday and was shot and wounded by Lebanese troops, the country’s army said in a statement.

The embassy, in a post on X, said that at 8:34 a.m., “small-arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance” to the mission. It added that the “facility and our team are safe.” An embassy official later confirmed that one of its security guards was injured in the attack.

“We cannot say more but we wish him a full recovery. We thank all of our local staff and law enforcement colleagues for their professionalism and partnership,” the embassy spokesperson said.

Amateur footage carried by local media showed the gunman, clad in a black vest with ammunition pouches and jeans and carrying an assault rifle, walking near the embassy before opening fire at an approaching army vehicle. Sounds of intensive shooting soon followed before the assailant was stopped.