Breaking: Alert after shooting close to The White House

The White House has been placed on alert after a shooting on a street outside.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th May 2016, 21:30 BST

Updated 20th May 2016, 22:36 BST

The White House (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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

District of Columbia Fire and EMS spokesman Doug Buchanan said one patient was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition shortly after 3pm local time.

A DC police spokesman said the Secret Service is investigating.

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

President Barack Obama is not on the premises - he had left two hours earlier for an afternoon round of golf.

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