The Secret Service tweeted on Saturday that they were responding to the incident which occurred at the North Lawn at around noon. Photo / Fox News
An armed man is dead after a gunshot was heard near the White House early today (NZT).
"The adult male who reportedly shot himself has been declared dead. His body remained on scene. We're working to notify next of kin," a Washington DC police department spokesperson told USA TODAY.
The shooting happened at around noon on Saturday (6am, NZT) and sparked panic inside as staff were told to shelter in place.
Political journalists sheltered in the briefing room and tweeted first about the breach.
Not long afterwards, the Secret Service said it was a person who had shot themselves.
President Donald Trump is at Mar-a-Lago for the weekend with the First Lady Melania Trump and their son Barron.
DC police say there is not thought to be any outstanding threat. Some streets around the White House were cordoned off and officers armed with rifles patrolled the area.
Media which were in place there tweeted that they were being told to shelter until further notice, according to the Daily Mail.
NBC's White House correspondent Geoff Bennett tweeted first about the incident
"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," he said.
Tourists who were in the area shared reports of hearing 'shots fired'. They were unaware if there was any threat to them or anyone else.
Within minutes of the shooting, the Secret Service calmed panic.
"Secret Service personnel are responding to reports of a person who allegedly suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound along the north fence line of White House.
"No other reported injuries related to the incident," it tweeted.
President Trump 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.
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
Musk-backed funding bill fails, nearly 875,000 workers face furlough.