An armed person outside the White House was shot by US secret service guards on Monday.
Amid Donald Trump’s coronavirus pandemic briefing in the White House on Monday, a shooting sound was heard outside the building. Trump was guarded by the US secret service person during the briefing.
However, the US president Trump was evacuated immediately from the briefing room during a daily session with the reporters.
According to CNN, Trump was escorted out from the briefing room by guards after the shooting sound was heard. The President was immediately ushered out and black clad service agents with automatic rifles rushed out to the lawns outside the White House.
Several media outlets also reported that a suspicious armed man outside the building was shot by the guards on Monday.
Moments later, Trump continued his press meet and said to reporters that the situation came under control.
He said that he knew nothing about the identity and whereabouts of the person shot when asked about if the person shot was armed.
Trump added that the incident might not have to do anything about him as the shooting happened on the outside of the White House perimeter.
He mentioned that nothing was breached as the shooting happened relatively far away.
The investigation into the US Secret Service officer who was involved in the shooting is undergoing and the armed person along with the USSS officer were both shifted to a local hospital.
The US Secret Service tweeted saying that no breach was happened into the White House and no one inside the house is in danger.
The situation seems calm outside the White House but a portion of the surrounding streets has been blocked off with a number of police and other official vehicles converging towards the corner of 17th Street and the Pennsylvania Avenue.
Earlier, the Secret Service has confirmed that there has been a shooting involving an officer at the 17th Street. Law enforcement officials were also on the scene.
Philipos Melaku who is a protestor camping in front of the White House for years said that he heard a shooting sound at around 5:50 pm (2150 GMT).
He told a news agency that he had heard a gun shot first and then the screaming of a man.
Immediately after the incife6, 8 or 9 came running pointing their rifles.
Following the security scare, Trump had immediately returned to the White House podium where he resumed his scheduled press conference.
Trump said in the conference that the world has always been a dangerous place and there’s nothing unique in that, pointing to the incident.
He also said that he feels safe with the Secret Service officers of the country.
By Gayatri Yellayi
