A GUNMAN WHO opened fire outside the White House has died after being shot dead, the Secret Service has said. 

A number of gun shots were fired near the White House at around 11.30pm Irish time (6.30pm in Washington DC) on Saturday. 

The man fired at Secret Service officers outside the White House, before being shot dead, the agency said in a statement. 

A bystander was also shot during the exchange of fire. Their condition is unknown. 

The FBI and the Secret Service are at the scene, FBI director Kash Patel said in a brief post on X. 

One reporter who was working on the White House grounds at the time said she heard what sounded like “dozens of gunshots”. 

Journalists who were on the north lawn of the White House said that they were ordered to run and shelter in the White House press briefing room. 

US president Donald Trump was in the White House, working on negotiating a deal with Iran. 

Police have cordoned off access to the White House and security forces have swarmed the area around the building. 

“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” Kash Patel wrote on X. 

More to follow.