The White House is in lockdown after reports of shots fired at the North Lawn of the White House. NBC News’ Geoff Bennett provided the following updated on Twitter:
BREAKING: We're sheltering in place at the White House briefing room. A report of "shots fired" near North Lawn, per a U.S. Secret Service agent. Trying to learn more.
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) March 3, 2018
Bennett told MSNBC on Saturday afternoon that a Secret Service agent ran into the briefing room to tell reporters they’d have to take shelter. He said he saw officers carrying long guns, getting into defensive positions and aiming their guns at Pennsylvania Avenue.
This weekend, the president is down at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
It is now being reported by the Secret Service that a man shot himself in the head in front of the White House. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the president was briefed on the situation. Bennett noted that the shelter in place was lifted shortly after his first report and first responders were on the scene.
UPDATE 3:35 PM ET: The man who shot himself in the head outside the White House fence line has died. No one else was injured in the self-inflicted shooting.
Statement from the Secret Service: a man has died from a self-inflicted gunshot outside the White House. The president and first lady were in Florida at the time. pic.twitter.com/EhEQJSarxe
— David Mack (@davidmackau) March 3, 2018
[image via screengrab]
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