Updated
A man has fatally shot himself outside the White House, putting the compound into lockdown.
The US Secret Service said the man approached the building's north fence just before noon on Saturday (local time).
He then removed a concealed handgun and fired several rounds.
None of the shots appeared to have been directed towards the White House, the service said.
The man died from a "self-inflicted" gun shot wound. He has been identified but his name has been withheld by authorities who are attempting to notify his next of kin.
There were no other injuries related to the incident, the Secret Service said.
President Donald Trump and the First Lady were not in the White House at the time of the incident.
Mr Trump is in Florida, but is set to return later today.
The White House press secretary said "we are aware of the situation, the President has been briefed".
The District of Columbia police said its homicide/natural death unit was responding.
ABC/wires
Topics: assault, world-politics, united-states
First posted