Gunman shot by White House security

White House
President Bush was in the White House when security guards shot an armed man

A man carrying a gun outside the White House in Washington, DC, has been shot in the leg by security guards, it has been reported.

A man has been taken into custody.

Security guards are on high alert, with officers sealing off an alley between the president's residence and the Treasury Department building.

Mr Bush was in the building at the time of the incident.

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Earlier Sgt. Michael Smith of the US Park Police said: "There is a subject outside the fence on E Street side (the south side) of the White House, (it is) a possible suicide attempt."

"Shots have been fired, the subject has been shot in the leg, (he has) non-life threatening injuries and medics are on the scene."

The incident happened at 11:36 a.m. (4.36 p.m. Irish time).