With President Donald Trump at his estate in Florida, the Secret Service said it was “responding to reports of a person who allegedly suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound” along the north fence line of the building.

The Secret Service added on Twitter: “No other reported injuries related to the incident at @WhiteHouse."

It said that agents and medical personnel were attending to the man. It did not immediately provide any information about the circumstances of the shooting.

The incident happened while Mr Trump was at Mar-a-Lago where he was seen in golfing gear. He was due to return to Washington on Saturday evening where he was scheduled to the attend the annual black-tie Gridiron media dinner. The First Lady and the couple's son, Bannon, were also not in the White House. 

The person involved in the incident was not immediately identified and there was no information about his condition. White House-based journalists were put on lockdown in the press briefing room following the reports.

NBC White House correspondent Geoff Bennett, wrote: “We’re sheltering in place at the White House briefing room. A report of “shots fired“ near North Lawn, per a US Secret Service agent. Trying to learn more.”

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