India, April 27 -- Oz Pearlman, a mentalist, who was set to perform at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, described the moments of panic during the shooting outside the Hilton ballroom.

Speaking with US broadcaster ABC News, Pearlman said he was "side-by-side" of the US President Donald Trump, and his "first thought" was, "are we about to die?"

Recounting the immediate reaction, Pearlman said: "When I dropped down, and dropped down to all fours, and I'm waiting and bracing because I think a bomb's going to go off. I watch the two Secret Service guys get behind the president, bring him down."

He added that the proximity to Trump made the moment even more surreal. "So the exact same way you are at this distan...