Secret Service agent abruptly escorts Trump from White House briefing room

WASHINGTON (AP/SBG) — Secret Service agent abruptly escorted President Donald Trump from the White House briefing room during the middle of a news conference, Monday.

A few minutes later, the president reentered the White House briefing room and confirmed a shooting that occurred outside the White House. He added that the incident was now 'under control.'

“There was an actual shooting and somebody’s been taken to the hospital,” Trump said. The president said the shots were fired by law enforcement, saying he believed the individual who was shot was armed. “It was the suspect who was shot,” Trump said.

President Trump: "There was a shooting outside of the White House, seems to very well under control. I'd like to thank the Secret Service..there was an actual shooting...the person was shot by Secret Service." pic.twitter.com/cnNa0aMYDt

— CSPAN (@cspan) August 10, 2020

The shooting took place near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue just blocks from the White House, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. Law enforcement officials were still trying to determine the suspect's motive.

The suspect's condition was not immediately known.

The president stated that it was Fox News Channel White House reporter John Roberts said he heard gunshots near the White House and reported them.

The president stated that he was taken to the Oval Office in the West Wing after being escorted from the briefing room. The White House was placed on lockdown following the incident.

Trump praised the Secret Service for their work in keeping him safe.

U.S. Secret Service Police stand outside the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Washington, as a news conference by President Donald Trump was paused. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

When asked if he was shaken by the incident, Trump asked reporters: “I don’t know. Do I seem rattled?”

from Turnto10