Gunman lies dead after White House was placed on lockdown and journalists cowered in briefing room as shots rang out
The shooting happened at around noon on Saturday afternoon while President Trump and Melania were away
JOURNALISTS hid in the briefing room of the White House yesterday after a man shot himself in the head outside the gates.
Footage from the scene shows the gunman lying dead outside the North Lawn as the heart of the US government was put in lockdown.
Secret Service agents raced to the site following the shooting at around 5pm UK time on Saturday.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene after pulling the gun on himself.
His dramatic suicide reportedly happened in front of a crowd of tourists.
The Secret Service said he had “allegedly suffered a self inflicted gunshot wound”.
President Trump and First Lady Melania were away in Florida at the Mar-a-Lago resort.
Traffic was brought to a standstill and journalists sheltered in the briefing room during the incident.
NBC's White House correspondent Geoff Bennett tweeted first about the incident .
He said: "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."
The Secret Service tweeted: "No other reported injuries related to the incident at the White House."
Trump was made aware of the incident.
It happened just a week after a car ploughed into a security barrier near the President's home.
A police spokesman told : "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 White House spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation.
"The President has been briefed."
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