Secret Service says man shot himself outside White House

The Secret Service said that a man died Saturday after shooting himself in the head outside the north fence of the White House.

The man approached the area shortly before noon and removed a handgun before firing several rounds, which did not appear to be directed at the White House, the Secret Service said in a statement. 

The individual, identified only as a white man pending notifications to next of kin, suffered a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and has died, according to authorities.

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President Trump, who was in Florida during the incident, was briefed shortly after it took place, according to the White House.

“We’re aware of the incident. The president has been briefed,” deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters.

BREAKING: Secret Service personnel are responding to reports of a person who allegedly suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound along the north fence line of @WhiteHouse.

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) March 3, 2018

UPDATE: Medical Personnel are responding to the male victim.

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) March 3, 2018

The Secret Service said that no other injuries were reported at the scene, but that vehicular and pedestrian traffic were affected by the shooting.

WTOP reported that White House staff were instructed to shelter in place Saturday after the shooting.

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department is leading the investigation into the incident with support from the Secret Service and other law enforcement organizations. 

Updated: 3:25 p.m.