FEDERAL POLICE IN America are investigating gunshots that were reportedly fired in the vicinity of the White House last night.

The Washington Post reports that the gunfire exchange may have occurred after a confrontation between occupants of two vehicles on Constitution Avenue.

The stretch of the avenue was closed for the investigation last night after Secret Service heard shots after 9pm. Reuters reports that the shots were fired just several hundred metres south of the president’s residence.

An abandoned car was found in the area and an assault rifle – an AK-47 – was found inside.

According to senior officials, the White House was not the focus of the incident. However, any gun activity in the vicinity of the White House is rare.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were not in the building last night. The President was in San Diego at the time and is currently on his way to a summit in Honolulu.

-Additional reporting by AP