Secret Service shoots armed man near White House; child also injured

Secret Service agents shot a man near the White House in Washington, DC, after he allegedly fired at officers during a confrontation on Monday afternoon.

The incident led to a brief lockdown at the White House while the scene was secured.

Officials said the man was approached by plainclothes officers near the outer perimeter of the White House complex after he was seen behaving suspiciously and appearing to have a firearm.

Secret Service deputy director Matthew Quinn said the man fled on foot, then fired in the direction of agents before officers returned fire.

The suspect was hit and later hospitalised, while a weapon was recovered from him.

A child in the area was also struck by gunfire and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said the juvenile was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The shooting matters because it unfolded in a heavily protected area close to the White House, the Washington Monument and the National Mall.

It also prompted a security response while the US president was inside the building and speaking to small business leaders.

Quinn said Vice President JD Vance's motorcade had passed through the area not long before the incident, but there was no indication the suspect was targeting it.

He also said the suspect was not on White House property when the confrontation began.

The Secret Service said its personnel were on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at 15th Street and Independence Avenue.

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