Man commits suicide at White House north fence

Several shots fired, but none directed at building

WASHINGTON – A man fatally shot himself in the head Saturday outside the north White House fence line , according to Washington, D.C., police and the Secret Service.

“His body remained on scene. We’re working to notify next of kin,” a police department spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email.

According to the Secret Service, just before noon the man approached the north White House fence, “removed a concealed handgun and fired several rounds, none of which appear at this time to have been directed towards the White House.” No one else was injured.

The man’s name has been withheld by law enforcement until his family is notified. The D.C. police department will lead the investigation into the shooting with the Secret Service’s help.

President Trump and the first lady were in Florida at the time.

“We’re aware of the incident. The president has been briefed,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said.

The White House was put on lockdown for more than two hours.

Police sealed off traffic on streets near the White House, and Pennsylvania Avenue was shut to pedestrians. Officers with rifles patrolled the area.

On 15th Street, clusters of tourists were held at street corners.

Sirens blared throughout midday, and a chopper hovered overhead at one point.

This is the second lockdown at the White House in less than 10 days. A Tennessee woman intentionally rammed her car into a barrier outside the White House on Feb. 23.