Metal detectors used in White House shooting probe

Two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the man who today fired shots outside the White House as Robert Pickett, of Evansville, Indiana.

The Secret Service is using metal detectors to find shell casings to determine how many shots were fired, officials say.

Security officers talked to the man, who is 47, for 15 minutes before the shooting, says a US Park Police spokesman.

Law enforcement sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, say authorities are investigating the possibility the man was trying to provoke a shooting by police.

The man was taken to George Washington University Hospital.

US president George W Bush was in the White House residence and "was never in any danger", says a White House spokesman.

A man is in custody, say the US Park Police.

A Secret Service spokesman said the man was "brandishing a gun" outside the White House's southwest gate.

A witness, Sook Jo, said she heard a popping sound, followed by smoke.

After that, Secret Service agents came out yelling "drop it" at a man who sat slowly down on the ground.

He said the man jumped into bushes, was surrounded by police but initially refused to surrender.

A reporter who was driving past the White House at the time has told Sky News a man wearing a red anorak on the south side of the White House produced a pistol and fired at least three shots through the fence up towards the famous building.