'Secret Service agent' in tuxedo hailed a hero for blocking path to Trump after shots fired outside White House Correspondents' Dinner

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Dramatic footage emerging from the dinner, which has been widely shared online, shows the agent leaping onto the stage in a bid to block Trump from potential gunfire after 31-year-old Cole Allen attempted to enter the event.

Members of the Trump administration, including the President and members of the media, were seen to duck for cover as a gunshot rung out beyond the ballroom, with the Secret Service agent seen leaping onto the stage.

Allen was detained by security carrying a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives as he attempted to enter the ballroom at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.

It has since emerged that Allen was a guest at the hotel, having checked in a day prior to the annual event.

Read more: 'We live in a crazy world': Donald Trump says after gunman opened fire and tried to storm ballroom - as suspect's 'anti-Trump manifesto' revealed

Read more: ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’: Gunman's blistering 'anti-Trump manifesto' revealed as Trump administration identified as likely targets

The agent – whose identity is remains unknown – was seen to react instantly, placing himself in the potential line of fire, effectively acting as a human shield.

Officials have since confirmed that the gunman had no criminal record and was not known to law enforcement.

One Secret Service officer was shot at close range during the altercation that led to Allen being detained.

The bullet was stopped by his ballistic vest, with the agent transported to hospital before later being discharged.

It's since been revealed that Allen penned what the US President described on Sunday night as an 'anti-Trump' manifesto, which was sent to members of his family 10 minutes before he carried out the attack.

He was transported to a detention facility in southeast Washington DC on Sunday, before being arraigned on Monday in a federal court.

Disturbing details have since emerged after investigators obtained the document, allegedly penned by Cole in his hotel room, after Trump claimed that it contained 'anti-Christian' rhetoric.

Allen, an engineer and tutor, had checked himself in as a guest at the Washington Hilton prior to the White House Correspondents Dinner after travelling across the country from California.

Officials, including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, insisted that Allen intended to target Trump and members of his administration who were gathered at the hotel alongside members of the media.

One secret service officer was injured after a firearm was discharged, hitting body armour. The individual was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

As reported by the New York Post citing a US official, the 1,052 word document described how his actions will have given 'a lot of people a surprise'.