The US Secret Service is investigating reports of shots fired just outside the White House, after apparent gunshots near the building triggered a lockdown and a rapid response, US media reports.
A Secret Service official told CNN that the agency was looking into reports of shots fired at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, just outside the White House complex in Washington DC.
CNN reported that media inside the building were told to shelter in place as Secret Service agents shouted "get down" and warned of "shots fired".
In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said officers were responding to shots fired and said he would “update the public as we’re able.”
US President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time.
NBC News reporter Julie Tsirkin posted that officers had told reporters outside to run.
"Gunshots heard outside of the White House. Approximately 20-30. Secret Service told those of us gathered on the north lawn to run inside the press briefing room," she wrote.
In a later tweet, Tsirkin said the White House was on lockdown.
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang, who was recording a video on the North Lawn when the apparent shots rang out, said it had sounded like dozens of rounds were fired.
"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. It sounded like dozens of gunshots," she posted.
ABC News reported that officers had cleared the North Lawn of the White House.
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