President Donald Trump on Monday abruptly left a press conference after what appeared to be a Secret Service agent approached the podium and spoke into his ear.
“Excuse me?” Trump said as the press conference was interrupted.
The president left the podium and the briefing doors were locked after he exited.
After speaking quietly with the Secret Service, the president returned to the briefing room after a few minutes to inform them that there was a shooting of an armed suspect outside the White House.
“There was an actual shooting, someone has been taken to the hospital … seems like the person was shot by Secret Service,” Trump said. He also confirmed that the suspect was armed.
He thanked Secret Service for acting quickly to protect the area.
“I feel very safe with Secret Service … they are the best of the best,” Trump said.
The president said that Secret Service would brief reporters about the shooting after the press conference.
“You were surprised. I was surprised also. I think it’s probably pretty unusual,” Trump said.
When a reporter asked the president if he was “rattled,” Trump replied, “I don’t know, do I seem rattled?”
He noted that the world was always a “dangerous place” but again thanked Secret Service for protecting him.
When a reporter asked him why he returned, Trump replied, “Well I didn’t even think about not coming back.”
The Secret Service followed up by noting that both a Secret Service agent and the suspect were transported to the hospital following the shooting.
Update: the investigation into a USSS officer involved shooting is ongoing. A male subject and a USSS officer were both transported to a local hospital. At no time during this incident was the White House complex breached or were any protectees in danger.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) August 10, 2020
The Secret Service also confirmed the shooting on Twitter.
The Secret Service can confirm there has been an officer involved shooting at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. Law enforcement officials are on the scene. More information to follow.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) August 10, 2020
A CSPAN employee posted a video capturing the audio of the shots when they occurred.
This is from the stakeout position outside the White House (north of the West Wing) at 5:48pm ET. pic.twitter.com/bpqHdKcn7T
— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) August 10, 2020
Story cited here.