US Secret Service and police respond to reports of shots fired near White House

Law enforcement authorities are responding to shots that were fired near the White House grounds, FBI director Kash Patel said.

Journalists working there on Saturday reported hearing a series of gunshots and were told to seek shelter inside the press briefing room, where US Secret Service officers prevented them from leaving.

The Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for information.

In a social media post, Mr Patel said officers were responding to shots fired and said he would “update the public as we’re able”.

President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time.