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The White House was locked down for a short time after a person was shot by a law enforcement officer close to the Washington Monument.

Secret Service agents attended the scene on Monday afternoon near the National Mall and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The president, who was giving a speech to small business leaders inside the White House at the time, was not interrupted during the incident.

Journalists outside the building were briefly ushered into the briefing room.

Secret Service deputy director Matthew Quinn said that around 3.30pm, plainclothes officers saw the man, who appeared to have a weapon. After trying to approach him, he fled, and they opened fire.

A child in the area was hit by gunfire as well and is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Security officers have been on alert following the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner attended by the US president, which resulted in a man being arrested and charged.

The Secret Service said in a statement: ‘US Secret Service personnel are on the scene of an officer-involved ⁠shooting at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, DC.

‘One individual was shot by law enforcement; their condition is currently unknown.’