Law enforcement shot an armed man during an incident near the National Mall in Washington on May 4, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

The suspect was transported to a hospital, and his condition is currently unknown.

Secret Service agents are on the scene responding to the shooting, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. ET at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington.

“Please avoid the area as emergency crews are responding,” the Secret Service said in a statement.

The incident occurred after a confrontation between Secret Service police and an armed individual, the agency said.

Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told reporters that a Secret Service agent in plain clothes “identified a suspicious individual that appeared to have a firearm” while patrolling the outer perimeter of the White House complex.

Uniformed agents were called to respond. After they made contact with the suspect, he began to flee on foot before drawing his gun and opening fire at law enforcement, Quinn said.

The suspect was subsequently hit with return fire. Agents believe that the suspect shot at least one bystander, a minor, who is being treated at a hospital but “did not sustain any life-threatening injuries,” Quinn said.

“I’ll point out that not long before this shooting occurred, the vice president’s motorcade did transit through this area,” the Secret Service deputy director said.

Investigators do not believe that the suspect made contact with the motorcade before he was seen by law enforcement.

“Whether or not it was directed to the president or not, I don’t know, but we will find out,” Quinn said.

The DC Metropolitan Police is conducting the investigation.

The suspect’s firearm was recovered, but investigators have not yet said what type it is.