A man has died in hospital after opening fire on Secret Service agents and hitting a bystander near the White House, forcing the area into lockdown.
In a statement, the United States Secret Service said just after 6pm on Saturday, local time, an individual in the area of 17th street and Pennsylvania Avenue pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing.
“Secret Service returned fire, striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” the statement read.
“During the shooting one bystander was also struck by gunfire.”
US President Donald Trump was inside the building at the time but there were no immediate reports of any injuries.
Earlier a law official said a person approached a security checkpoint near the White House and started shooting at officers.
The suspect was “down” and was transported to George Washington Hospital, the official said.
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The suspect was identified as an emotionally disturbed person, the official said, adding that a “stay-away order” had been issued to the suspect previously.
Video captured by ABC America showed the moment shots could be heard while a reporter delivered a live cross.
“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” Selina Wang, the reporter shown in the video wrote on X.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
A Secret Service officer sprints through the White House grounds after gunshots were heard. (AP: Jose Luis Magana)
The White House North Lawn was cleared by Secret Service and reporters were told to sprint into the White House Press Briefing Room.
“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds — we will update the public as we’re able,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.
It comes about a month after an alleged attempted assassination of the president on April 25 as he attended the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at a Washington hotel.
Cole Tomas Allen remains in custody over that incident and he recently pleaded not guilty to charges.