This appears to be a local issue, unrelated to the White House. Carry on. On a side note, though, good to know that we can discover, report, analyze, discuss, and mediate an entire scenario before the Traditional Media thinks to mention it. Original post below.
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According to reports from NBC, shots were fired near the White House this evening.
From @tvnooz, Executive Producer of NBC4 in DC:
Breaking: Reports of Shots Fired and a Wild Chase near the White House
Breaking News: Shots Fired with AK-47, a Wild Police Chase and Constitution Avenue Shut Down between 15th and 17th Streets
For those unfamiliar with the area, an up-to-date map can be found here.
UPDATE 1:
Another NBC4 reporter (@jackiebensen) is confirming that the gun was an AK-47. Suspect escaped in a white sedan with Idaho plates. Gun may have been stolen. The gun "appears to be equipped with a scope".
No more details on where the shots were fired from. Original reporting uses phrasing "near". ThinkProgress's first tweet said "at". Unclear at this point.
UPDATE 2:
NBC4 Executive Producer Thomas Tubin confirms via Park Police that shots were fired between two vehicles near the White House. Suspect still at large, last seen jumping out of car at 23rd and Constitution. 2nd vehicle (yellow SUV, make/model not specified) may have been involved.
UPDATE 3:
White House Schedule states that President Obama was due to leave San Diego for Honolulu today at 9:50 EST.
UPDATE 4:
From Fox 5 DC: Shooting took place at 16th and Constitution, roughly halfway between White House and Washington Monument. Keep in mind that though handguns are legal in DC, semiautomatic weapons are illegal (recently upheld by the US appeals court).
UPDATE 5:
Care of HuffPo, an unspecified law enforcement source does not believe that this event was related to the White House but was an issue between the two vehicles previously reported.
UPDATE 6:
Via Terry Moran of ABC Nightline,
From DHS, via @JasonRyanABC: NO shots fired at the White House, local crime issue, happened at 16th + Constitution, 1/4 mile from fence.
Furthermore, a firsthand witness specifies the direction,
@sistertoldjah Yes, I am here! They were shot in front of the Ellipse. Not directly at the White House. Sorry about that!
That's confirmation enough for me for the time being. I'll update this further if any other pressing information arises. Diary title changed to reflect this.