Shots were fired near the US Capitol in Washington after a police car was rammed.

The incident happened in an area popular with tourists outside the Rayburn building, close to the US Botanic Garden, at 9.30am local time.

A police spokesman said a person in a car crashed into the police cruiser and then tried to run over officers.

A witness said the car had been stopped at a police checkpoint.

US Capitol Police officers chased the person on foot and the suspect was arrested 15 minutes later.

Witnesses described hearing three shots but it was not clear who fired them.

No-one was hurt in the incident, police siad.

A woman in a green shirt was later seen being put in a police van in handcuffs.