Person in custody after CIA headquarters 'shooting'

CIA seal
An incident outside the CIA's headquarters occurred about 4am, authorities say. -AP

The CIA says its security personnel have taken a person into custody after an engagement outside the intelligence agency's headquarters.

A CIA spokesperson confirmed security staff "engaged a person" outside the main gates, adding the individual was in custody.

The spokesperson declined to say whether gunfire struck the suspect or to disclose any other details.

NBC News reported earlier that the person was shot, citing a person with knowledge of the matter.

The incident occurred about 4am, a Fairfax police spokesperson told US broadcaster ABC News.

The CIA closed the main gate at its Langley compound and directed employees to seek alternate routes.

The shooting incident came after two Israeli embassy staffers were killed by a lone gunman in downtown Washington DC on Wednesday night.

There was no indication the incidents were related.