White House on lockdown and staff told to take shelter after gunman shoots himself dead
THE WHITE House was put in lockdown and staff were told to take shelter after a gunman shot himself dead near the north fence of President Donald Trump's residence on Saturday afternoon.
Reporter: Secret Service responds to White House lockdown
The shooting occurred around midday on Saturday, sparking panic on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Journalists at the White House sheltered in the briefing room as the news broke.
One correspondent, Geoff Bennett, said on Twitter: "We're sheltering in place at the White House briefing room. A report of shots fired near North Lawn, per a U.S. Secret Service agent. Trying to learn more."
The official US Secret Service Twitter account revealed shortly afterwards it was a man with a "self-inflicted gunshot wound".
White House: Staff have been urged to take shelter
Tourists pictured outside the White House yesterday
Emergency services attended to the male gunman but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pedestrians and traffic around the White House have been disrupted while officials investigate further but there is not thought to be any outstanding threat.
President Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this weekend but is aware of the shooting, according to White House officials.
He spent the morning golfing in Mar-a-Lago and had not long returned to his residence there when news of the shooting emerged.