'I fought like hell,' Trump says he wanted to resume dinner

Trump said he wanted to stay at the White House Correspondents' Dinner but was told by security agents that he had to leave.

"We wanted to stay tonight," Trump said. "I will tell you, I fought like hell to stay." But concerns about his safety came first.

The US president said the shooting was "rather traumatic" for First Lady Melania and praised law enforcement many a time for their quick response. 

Suspect armed with multiple weapons at correspondents' dinner, Trump says

President Donald Trump said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service. One officer was shot, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest.

"He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job," Trump said.

Trump is addressing reporters at the White House after he and other top leaders of the US were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after a shooting incident outside the ballroom.

Trump said the shooter had been captured and the man is believed to be from California, adding law enforcement officials have "gone to his apartment."

Trump said the shooter was a "lone wolf," with the president saying he believes the incident is not linked to the US-Israel war with Iran.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, also on the podium with Trump during the press briefing, said the investigation was "ongoing" and that he expects charges to be "filed shortly."

FBI Director Kash Patel said during his remarks that his agency was "conducting witness interviews as we speak."