Donald Trump Abruptly Pulled From COVID-19 Briefing after Shooting Outside White House

Washington: A Secret Service agent hurriedly escorted US President Donald Trump from a coronavirus briefing following shooting reported outside the White House on Monday.

“There was an actual shooting, and somebody has been taken to the hospital. I don’t know the condition of the person,” Trump was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency on Monday after returning to the White House briefing room moments later.

“It seems to be very well under control. It was the suspect that was shot.” Trump said.

Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury Secretary and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought were also present in the briefing and followed Trump while leaving the briefing.

Secret Service took to Twitter about the incident: “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.”

Secret Service said in a subsequent tweet that the suspect was a male and that the shooting injured an officer too who was taken to the hospital, The Hill news website said.

“At no time during this incident was the White House complex breached or were any protectees in danger.”

Soon after the US President was pulled from the briefing, chaos unfolded. The officers of the Armed Secret Service were seen stationed on the North Lawn of the White House while the media inside the building was eager to know the cause of the lockdown.