The White House was placed on lockdown after a suspect opened fire on Saturday evening.

The individual approached the perimeter and unloaded several shots, a law enforcement source told the Daily Mail.

Journalists reporting from the White House were left ducking for cover as they reported hearing 20 to 30 shots ring out. They were evacuated from the North Lawn and raced to safety inside the press briefing room.

The law enforcement source added that the suspect has since been taken to the hospital.

Television footage from the scene showed heavily armed agents roaming the perimeter with the FBI now on the scene.

Video showed ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang ducking and hiding after the apparent gunfire erupted.

‘I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,’ she said.

‘It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,’ she added.

President Donald Trump was inside the White House when the apparent gunfire erupted having recently concluded Iran talks with Middle Eastern officials in the Oval Office.

ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang had been recording a report on her phone when she heard the sound of gunfire break out close by

Secret Service agents are seen the White House after gunshots were heard nearby

An armed Secret Service agent reacts at the White House in Washington, DC, after gunshots were apparently heard on Saturday evening

A member of the US Secret Service watches while holding his weapon after gunfire was heard nearby, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

The press pool had been dismissed about an hour before the shots were heard, with just a few broadcast journalists remaining. They have since been released from the briefing room.

It comes just weeks after many of the same individuals were forced to cower behind tables and chairs during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting last month.

Reporters who were already inside the White House were told to shelter in place while Secret Service agents shouted ‘get down’ and warned of ‘shots fired. 

In the minutes following the shooting, CNN reported the gunfire came from the 17th Street side of the White House, closer to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

The shooting happened just beyond the perimeter of the White House on Saturday evening

A Secret Service agent walks holding his weapon after gunshots rang out close to the White House

Police block streets around the White House on Saturday evening following reports of gunfire

A National Guard member and police vehicles are seen on a blocked street near the White House

Police and members of the Secret Service blocked streets around the White House

Streets are blocked off by police following the apparent shooting close to the White House

An armed Secret Service agent looks on at the White House in Washington after gunshots were heard 

Reporters near the White House said they heard what sounded like dozens of gunshots on Saturday evening

FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted the FBI were present as part of the investigation.

‘FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able.’

Just before 7pm, CNN reported that the lockdown at the White House had ended.  

The Daily Mail has contacted the DC Metropolitan Police Department, the White House press office and the Secret Service for comment. 

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