The US Secret Service has responded to reports of gunshots outside the White House.

The agency’s Twitter account reads: “Secret Service personnel are responding to reports of a person who allegedly suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound along the north fence line of [The White House].”

It goes on to say medical personnel were responding to the male victim and that traffic around the White House would be impacted as a result of the incident.

Geoff Bennett, White House correspondent for NBC, told followers he and others were “sheltering in place at the White House briefing room.

“A report of shots fired near North Law, per a US Secret Service agent. Trying to learn more.”

The District of Columbia police says its homicide/natural death unit is responding.

President Donald Trump is not at the White House – he’s in Florida, but is set to return later Saturday.

The White House press secretary said: “Ee are aware of the situation. The president has been briefed.”

More follows…