WASHINGTON: US Secret Service guards shot and wounded someone, apparently armed, outside the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump said just after being briefly evacuated in the middle of a press conference.
As the president was speaking to reporters in the White House s briefing room, a Secret Service bodyguard abruptly interrupted, saying in a quiet voice, “Sir, could you please come with me?”
Trump and staff members left. Doors to the briefing room, still filled with journalists, were locked.
Outside, black-clad Secret Service agents with automatic rifles could be seen rushing across the lawn and took up positions behind trees. According to Fox News, whose camera team was outside, two shots were heard.
Minutes later, Trump reappeared at the press conference and announced that someone had been shot by the Secret Service outside the White House grounds.
“Law enforcement shot someone, it seems to be the suspect. And the suspect is on the way to the hospital,” he said.
The Secret Service, as is typical, gave only a terse confirmation that “there has been an officer involved shooting at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Ave.” That is one block from the White House.
