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The White House was placed on lockdown this afternoon after a man shot himself dead close to the North Lawn.
Staffers dashed to safety as armed secret service officers descended on the tragic scene in Washington DC.
Authorities have since confirmed that the man has died as a result of gunshot wounds to the head.
He was carrying a concealed handgun, and fired several rounds, the US Secret Service confirmed.
Donald Trump was not at the White House when the shooting occurred shortly before 5pm UK time (12pm US time), as he is at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, but he was swiftly briefed about it shortly afterwards, the White House said.
The man has not yet been identified.
A police spokesman told USA Today: "The adult male who reportedly shot himself has been declared dead.
"His body remained on scene. We’re working to notify next of kin."