Updated

The Latest on the shooting outside the White House (all times local):

4:20 p.m.

The Secret Service has tweeted to say that "all Secret Service protectees are safe" after a shooting outside the White House.

Separately, a White House official says no one in the building or associated with the White House was injured, and everyone inside is safe and accounted for.

This official said President Obama was made aware of the shooting. Obama left the White House more than an hour earlier and was golfing at Andrews Air Force base at the time.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity given the developing situation.

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3:50 p.m.

The White House has been placed on a security alert after a shooting on a street outside.

U.S. Park Police said on Twitter that the shooting happened on West Executive Drive on Friday afternoon.

District of Columbia Fire and EMS spokesman Doug Buchanan says one patient was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition shortly after 3 p.m.

A D.C. police spokesman said the Secret Service was investigating.

The White House grounds were shut down to pedestrian traffic, locking staff members and reporters indoors. The president was not on premises. He'd left two hours earlier for an afternoon round of golf.