WASHINGTON (AP): 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.