Washington (CNN) –– The president of U.S, Donald Trump, was abruptly evacuated from the White House conference room on Monday for security reasons, after gunfire apparently occurred outside the building.
Trump he returned to the meeting room minutes later and confirmed a shooting.
“There was a shooting outside the White House and it seems to be under control. I would like to thank the Secret Service for always doing their job quickly and very effectively, “Trump said when he returned.
The president added that the shooting “was real and someone was taken to the hospital. I do not know the condition of the person. It seems that the person was shot by the Secret Service, “said the president.
When asked by CNN’s Jeremy Diamond as to whether he was taken to the bunker below the White House, Trump replied, “No, they took us to the Oval Office.”
Trump was also asked if he was nervous, he said, “I don’t know, do I sound nervous?” And he added that he feels “very safe with the Secret Service, they are fantastic people, they are the best of the best, they are highly trained.” “They just wanted me to step aside for a moment to make sure everything was okay outside,” he completed.
After Trump returned to the podium, the US Secret Service tweeted: “The Secret Service can confirm that there was an agent involved in the shooting (…) Security agents are on the scene.”
A senior government official reported that there was an active shooter near the White House and that there is a person in custody.
The incident occurred outside the White House grounds and near Lafayette Park, the official said.
Trump was in the middle of his speech during a briefing when security agents entered the compound and asked him to leave the area.
“Excuse me?” Trump asked when approached by a security officer.
“Get out of here,” said the agent.
“Oh,” Trump said before leaving the scene.
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