Secret Service Agent Shoots Armed Man Near White House

The suspect has reportedly been taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition after being shot near the White House.

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Complex Original

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An armed man was shot by Secret Service outside the White House grounds Friday, the Associated Pressreports. The White House was briefly placed on lockdown following the shooting, with Vice President Joe Biden secured within the complex. President Barack Obama was not on the grounds but has been briefed on the incident.

The unidentified man, reportedly in critical condition at a nearby hospital, is believe to have approached the agent before refusing to put down the weapon. "As we were walking away we heard a shot fired, then some people started running away and agents had guns and were evacuating people," one witness told reporters, adding that she had also witnessed a man "harassing" an agent.

The shooting occurred on West Executive Drive, U.S. Park Police confirmed. "All Secret Service protectees are safe," the agency reported shortly after the incident. During the lockdown, all pedestrian traffic was blocked and both staff and reporters were secured inside the complex. White House officials did not immediately respond to Complex's request for comment.

The Secret Service is confirming a police involved shooting near the @WhiteHouse complex. All Secret Service protectees are safe.

Back in April, a similar incident sparked a lockdown at the U.S. Capitol after Larry Russell Dawson of Tennessee pulled a gun during a routine security screening. He was promptly shot by authorities, initiating a brief shelter-in-place scare on the grounds that was lifted shortly after.

After initially announcing a press conference for later Friday regarding the shooting, U.S. Park Police announced the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia would now be heading the investigation.

@DCPoliceDept will lead the investigation. No presser at this time.

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