The White House has been put on lockdown after a person was shot outside.
Secret Service officers shot an armed man outside the west of the White House after he brandished a weapon, a law enforcement source told CNN.
Visitors wrote on Twitter that they saw 'lots of people with guns' after shots were heard.
President Obama was not in the White House at the time as he was out playing a round of golf, while Vice President Joe Biden was rushed to a secure area of the building.
The shooting took place on 17th and E Streets - one block away from the White House - at around 2pm, the United States Park Police said.