Federal authorities responded to reports of gunfire near the White House on Saturday evening, prompting a temporary lockdown for members of the press inside the White House briefing room.
According to multiple reports from journalists on the scene, several gunshots were reportedly heard near the White House grounds. Members of the media working inside the complex were instructed to shelter in place while United States Secret Service officers secured the area.
At this time, there have been no immediate reports of injuries.
Kash Patel confirmed in a public statement that law enforcement agencies were actively responding to the situation and said additional information would be released as it becomes available.
President Donald Trump was reportedly inside the White House when the incident occurred.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding a suspect, motive, or exactly where the shots originated. The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story and updates will be provided as more information is confirmed.
UPDATE: The person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials.
The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement late Saturday that, according to a preliminary investigation, the person approached a checkpoint shortly after 6 p.m. ET, “removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers.”
Officers returned fire and hit the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died, according to the Secret Service.
A bystander was struck, but a law enforcement official said it wasn’t clear whether that person was struck by the suspect’s initial bullets or those fired subsequently by officers.
Secret Service said none of its officers were injured, and that President Donald Trump — who was at the White House at the time — was not "impacted.”