NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, May 23, 2026

Episode Date: May 24, 2026

Series of gunshots heard near White House ; Trump says agreement on Iran war ‘largely negotiated’; Trump speaks with Israel’s prime minister on potential Iran agreement ;  and more on tonight��s broadcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breaking tonight, the chaotic scene in Washington after gunshots were heard near the White House, the gunfire erupting near the north of law, major law enforcement presence. With FBI agents on the scene, we've got the latest. Also tonight, President Trump, posting on social media, that an agreement has been largely negotiated to end the war in Iran, but adding that it is still subject to finalization between the U.S., Iran, and other countries. The president also saying the Strait of Hormuz will be opened, but no mention of Iran's nuclear weapons, the late developments just coming in.

Cowell Bush's cause of death revealed after his sudden passing this week, and the tributes this weekend as the racing world honors his legacy. State of emergency in Southern California, thousands forced from their homes as officials sound the alarm over this unstable tank filled with toxic chemicals, the risk the tank could either leak or explode are reporters on the ground. Severe weather for the holiday weekend, huge floodwaters at this gas station. Twisters spotted in Alabama and in Texas, this car totally submerged and more storms ahead. The urgent all-out search and rescue effort after a massive mine explosion in China. Growing concerns over AI-generated police reports, why departments are starting to use them

and the warning about how that information is being handled. And there's good news tonight. About the special way these students said thank you to the people they learned from. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz Ballard. Good evening. We are following two major stories as we come on the air. There are new developments tonight about a potential breakthrough in the war with Iran. President Trump posting on social media that, quote, an agreement has been largely negotiated to end the war, but also adding that it's

subject to finalization. We'll get to that story in a moment. But we begin with a shooting near the White House. sources tell NBC News two people have been injured after exchanging gunfire with Secret Service. Julie Sirkin was there when the volley of shots erupted and she joins us now. Julie, what's the latest? Yeah, Jose, tonight at this hour, President Trump is still in the White House working where he was all day on that Iran deal. It was just after 6 p.m. when U.S. Secret Service agents saw a suspect male who approached a checkpoint at 17th in Pennsylvania Avenue. That is a stones thrown away from where I'm standing now off the pedestrian plaza, which is now open, by the way, at least partially for the last couple of days.

The Secret Service says in a statement that that suspect approached the checkpoint, pulled out a weapon from his bag, and began firing indiscriminately at the Secret Service agent's station there. They returned the gunfire, striking the suspect. Ultimately, he was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Secret Service. Service. They also, somebody struck a bystander that was there. It is unclear who did, whether it was the suspect or the Secret Service officers responding, and it is unclear what condition that person is in right now. Certainly a terrifying situation for the Secret Service officials for the White House on high alert, Jose, less than a month after a shooting happened at the White House correspondent's

dinner. The third shooting attempt, of course, that the president has been somewhat involved in. We don't know the motive that the suspect has. Potentially, he could have been known to police. Jose. Julie Zirken at the White House, thank you so very much. Of course, we'll stay on this story. But turning now to our other top story tonight, President Trump announcing on his social media platform

that an agreement has been largely negotiated to end the war with Iran. Ralph Sanchez has the latest. Tonight, after a day of high-stakes diplomacy, President Trump announcing, the U.S. is in the final stages of agreeing a deal to end the war with Iran. Following an unusual Saturday afternoon conference call with the leaders of Pakistan and American allies across the Middle East, the president posting on truth social, an agreement

has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other countries. Adding, final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly. The president says the deal will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway which has been largely shut since the start of the war, sending oil prices spiking worldwide and driving U.S. gas prices to their highest level in years. But he made no mention of any concessions by Iran on its nuclear program. The president's has long said stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon was the key reason for the war and repeatedly insisted it surrender its stockpile of high. highly enriched uranium as part of any deal. We'll probably destroy it after we get it, but we're not going to let them have it. Iran's foreign ministry said earlier that talks on the nuclear issue could be left to a later round of negotiations in up to 60 days.

The deal likely to disappoint Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hoped that the joint U.S. Israeli attack would lead to the overthrow of the Iranian regime. Mr. Trump said he spoke to the Israeli leader, and the call went very well. The apparent breakthrough came after a last-ditch diplomatic effort led by Pakistan's military chief on a trip to Tehran. The world now waiting to see if the agreement will truly ends the fight it and lead to durable peace. And Raf joins us now live from Qatar, Raf, we're already learning from Iran that the street of Hormuz will not be going back to the way it was.

That's right, Jose, shortly after the president's posts on truth, social, Iranian state media said that Iran will retain control over the Strait of Hormuz. They say the president's claim the strait will reopen is, quote, inconsistent with reality. And they say that this has the potential to be a major sticking point in reaching a final agreement. Jose. Ralph Satchez in Doha, thank you. Kier Simmons joins us now from Jerusalem tonight.

And Kier, President Trump did not make this announcement before speaking to the Israeli prime minister. Is Israel essential a key partner in this point to make a deal? Well, Jose, Prime Minister Netanyahu encouraged President Trump to embark on this war. If it is coming to an end, though, it is far from clear that the Israeli government has got what it wanted. Both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu have insisted that they achieved regime change in Iran. But while there is a new Ayatollah, it is the same Iranian regime. There was not a mass uprising leading to a more demonstration.

democratic future. Meanwhile, it has changed relationships between countries here in the Middle East, and it has impacted America's standing in the world and here in this region. And the implications for the world economy are yet to be seen. Jose. Kear Simmons, in Jerusalem, thank you so very much. Also, Justin, tonight, we're learning more about the sudden death of NASCAR legend Kyle Bush, with his family now revealing his cause of Death. Valerie Castro reports. Tonight, new answers in the sudden death of NASCAR legend Kyle Bush, as tributes pour in during one of the biggest racing weekends of the year. Bush's photo gracing the Jumbotron in North Carolina where he was supposed to compete. The 41-year-old racing

superstar died of pneumonia-induced sepsis, according to his family. Bush had complained of a substantial cough in recent weeks. You can kind of still hear it. I'm still not great. This 911 call obtained by NBC News, revealing how dire his symptoms had become by Wednesday. I've got an individual that shortness of breath coughing up some blood. Bush's family announcing his death a day later. Is this something that could have been prevented, had the right treatments been administered sooner? Potentially.

So while in sepsis, earlier treatment is typically better, it's not always a guarantee that just because you treated early, the patient will live. In Bush's honor, the Indianapolis Speedway creating this tribute with Pletka, to light the pylon during a lap at Sunday's Indy 500. Another driver on the track with his car tonight, now under the number 33, replacing Bush's iconic number eight, newly painted on the infield. Bush's team retiring his number, reserving it for his 11-year-old son, Brexton, until the day he gets behind the wheel for NASCAR.

This heartwarming moment between father and son captured earlier this year by a fan. And NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell determined to continue, with the Coca-Cola 600 tomorrow, where Bush would have raced. Kyle Bush would probably be pretty pissed off if we didn't race. So we're going to honor his memory and make sure people know what he was all about. Valerie Castro, NBC News. And now to the state of emergency in Southern California and thousands of people evacuated because of a toxic chemical tank that authorities say will either leak or explode.

Steve Patterson is at the scene. Tonight, thousands in Orange County, California, edge, fleeing town, now bracing for the worst. As authorities offer a no-win scenario for an unstable, uncontrollable tank filled with hazardous chemicals, saying it will either fail and leak or explode. I cannot emphasize, this is not precautionary. This thing is going to fail. We don't know when. The latest update, Grimm. Efforts to cool the tank and buy more time are failing, a team of scientists confirming it's only getting hotter. The temperature was 90 degrees. yesterday morning it was 77 degrees when we backed out.

It's been averaging about a degree an hour increasing. The source of the problem, a bank of chemical tanks at an aerospace facility, one with a compromised valve containing about 7,000 gallons of methyl-metacrylate, a colorless, highly volatile liquid chemical used to make plastics a known toxin to humans. It can cause a vapor. And my biggest concern is that if that vapor goes into the air and people inhale that, causes significant damage. 40,000 people now under mandatory evacuation orders,

Governor Newsom declaring a state of emergency, making additional shelters available. This is my hometown. And I'm sorry. And I'm worried for everyone. What's the worst case scenario here? Well, that worst case scenario is that fireball, okay, is to have the primary tank blow up, chain reaction blow up the additional tanks, and that's 34,000 gallons. of energy release.

How worried are you right now? Very. This is serious. This is real. Meanwhile, the company that owns that facility, GKN Aerospace, released a statement this afternoon saying they sincerely apologize to the community and that they're working with local experts and authorities on a possible solution. Jose? Steve Patterson in Orange County, California. Thank you. The Memorial Day holiday weekend is off to a rough start with severe weather

across the eastern half of the country. Ursula Thompson, how's the latest? Look at this. Waves seem crashing not just on the shoreline this Memorial Day weekend. It's coming in the door. Flood waters rushing through this parking lot in Alabama. And filling streets in South Texas. Hail, pummeling parts of Dallas.

Black plumes of smoke filling the skies in the Texas panhandle after a reported lightning strike. Arts tornado in progress here. A massive twister also spot. spotted there. Is that a tornado? And in Alabama, carving a path of destruction. We just, thank God, nobody was injured. Severe weather wreaking holiday havoc from the Gulf Coast to the northeast.

Sledding this dugout, delaying a NASCAR race in North Carolina, and postponing the Yankees Rays game in New York. Every year, it seems to just rain on Memorial Day weekend. It's also making for treacherous travel for the millions of Americans getting away this weekend. On the roads, cars waiting through dangerous high waters, one seen here submerged. At the nation's airports, delays in Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston. How are you feeling about the weather here today? We're concerned. Hopefully we'll get out on time.

I'm ready to get out of Houston and away from this rain. Even in the Florida panhandle, sunny beach weather comes with a warning. Dangerous rip currents amid a Memorial Day washout. And Jose, I'm here at Houston's Hobby Airport, and across the country today, there have been thousands of delays and or cancellations, and the severe weather is not letting up. Heavy rain is expected to continue across Texas and the Gulf Coast through tonight, and the East Coast will stay damp and cool, too. Jose. Priscilla Taughton in Houston, thank you. When we come back, the growing concerns over AI-generated police reports around the country.

Back now with our series. series AI revolution and the growing concerns over AI generated police reports. Departments across the country are starting to use them, but some groups are sounding the alarm about how they're being handled and where the information could be going. Camilla Bernal reports. At the Chula Vista, California Police Department, more officers are getting out of the station and into the streets.

The department uses an AI tool called Axon Draft One, technology that helps officers generate police reports in minutes. Overall, just an incredible enhancement to the way we're doing police work. We got a behind-the-scenes look at how the AI works, reading from a script in a controlled environment. I pretended I was reporting a robbery. The rear passenger small window was smashed. Any witnesses or cameras?

I didn't see anyone. It generates a transcript from the audio of an officer's body-worn camera. How long does it normally take to write a police report? We're looking at an hour, two hours for the average report. This can save us at least 45 minutes on most cases. Sergeant Priscilla Grattan says it's still the officer's responsibility to correct any mistakes. This is what we remind them of. You want to check it because you're the one who's going to be the one presenting this information in the future and testifying to it.

Police reports play an integral part in the criminal justice process, which is why organizations like the ACLU are warning about the technology. 's early adoption. In the name of efficiency, we are making it okay to monitor people 24-7. Angel Diaz is a professor at LMU Law School. The data might be collected for one purpose, but might then subsequently be used for a very different purpose. In a statement, Axon the Maker of Draft 1 tells NBC News in part, it does not sell customer

data and any sharing occurs only at the explicit direction of the agency, and that it does not use customer data to train AI systems by default. Something there. Chula Vista police say using Draft 1 is proactive. Our mindset has been about forward thinking. How can we serve the community better? And that comes with using technology and being open to technologies that exist or that are coming in. New technology already starting to shape modern policing.

Camila Bernal, NBC News, Chula Vista, California. And we're back with. what we're learning about a major earthquake that rattled Hawaii last night. We are continuing to follow our lead story tonight. The volley of gunshots heard near the White House. This is the scene in Washington, D.C. Four law enforcement sources tell NBC News that at least two people have been shot outside the White House. One person is in grave condition.

Officers say one of these people is believed to be a suspect but isn't clear at this hour if the second person is a suspect or a bystand. We will keep monitoring this situation and bring you the latest as it develops. Also tonight, at least 90 people were killed in China after a deadly gas explosion at a coal mine. You can see the huge emergency response there. Chinese state media reports that nearly 250 workers were on duty at the time and that nine miners are still unaccounted for. More than 120 people were hospitalized. Chinese leader Xi Jinping calling for an all-out rescue effort and an investigation into what caused.

the incident. Also, in Venezuela tonight, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas posting this video of a joint exercise between the U.S. and Venezuela today. You can see these huge ospries landing at the U.S. embassy in Caracas. The head of the U.S. Southern Command, General Francis Donovan, was among those transported to Caracas. The embassy says it's part of President Trump's three-phase plan for Venezuela following the auster of Nicolas Maduro. And a large 6.0 magnitude earthquake rattled Hawaii's big island overnight, with tremors being felt there, as well as in Maui and Oahu. Here you can see some home videos of the shaking. That quake prompting officials more closely monitor the Kilauea volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes, which has been erupting every now and then since 2024.

When we come back, there's good news tonight. emotional surprises from students across the country getting creative to thank their educators. There's good news tonight. You know, so often the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad, so every Saturday we highlight the many people who spread joy and love,

and these are just some of those stories this way. Talk about a curveball. That's phys ed teacher Scott Messick had a surprise reunion with his students. Scott has been on medical leave as he battles a rare form of kids. cancer and was supposed to return next school year. But the Phillies had a different idea.

Honoring Scott as their 2026 all-star teacher. It's just amazing how people step up in your time of the evening. The Phillies celebrating Scott on the field for the teacher who always hit it out of the park. This month we saw shows of gratitude like these for educators across the country. You like my green? Yes. In classroom. After classroom.

So I won this? Yes, the student-to-loaded. Is that right? Oh, I feel so good. That's awesome. Students getting extra creative to thank the people they learn from. You make me cry.

Love with me. Thank you! Like this VIP entrance for the teachers in Williamstown, New Jersey, kicking off the day at St. Mary School with a red carpet welcome. Oh, thank you. For teachers like Jennifer Bowman,

That cheer was heard loud and proud. As teachers, we spend so much time focusing on encouraging our students. So for them to take a moment to celebrate us, it was really meaningful. It's not just teachers. Principal Doug Young kicked off his retirement with a bang. A huge assembly to end his 40-year career. Principal Young feeling the joy and the love on his last day at Lubbock High School in Texas. What a ride.

Bitter sweet. And for a man who always drives with a smile. Johnny, Johnny! One last stop on his road to retirement. That's longtime bus driver Johnny Huss, known as Mr. Johnny at Lincoln Charter School in Denver. To his students, a friend and mentor who always goes the distance. It's almost as though they'll never forget Mr. Johnny. I swear it seems.

I don't know how I made such an impact. On his last day, the whole school rallying around Mr. Johnny, showing him the same love he gave them his whole career. Everything, thanking Mr. Johnny for the right of a lifetime. What do you want them to know and remember about you? That I cared. each kid that got on the bus, I give them a fist bump, and I told them good morning. I'm setting the tone for those kids at the beginning of the school day.

And I hope that's what they remember. So we'll all remember, Mr. Johnny. That's NBC, not the news for this Saturday. The great Halley Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diazboleart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good.