White House put on lockdown after shooting

The White House was briefly put on lockdown on Friday after a shooting was reported nearby while US president Barack Obama was away at Andrews Air Force Base, officials said.

Someone was shot in an area on the western side of the White House in Washington DC, and police and ambulances were on the scene, according to media reports.

US Park Police said on Twitter that the shooting happened on West Executive Drive on Friday afternoon.

CNN reported that a male suspect had been shot and was in custody.

District of Columbia fire and EMS spokesman Doug Buchanan said one person had been taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition shortly after 3pm local time.

A DC police spokesman said the US secret service is investigating the incident.

The White House grounds were shut down to pedestrian traffic, locking staff members indoors.

White House reporters were sequestered in the press briefing room and were not allowed to go outside the West Wing to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Reuters and PA