The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office in Montana convened a press conference on the eve of Montana’s pivotal special House election following allegations that a GOP congressional candidate “body slammed” a reporter.

Sheriff Brian Gootkin late Wednesday night discussed the allegation from Ben Jacobs, a political reporter for The Guardian U.S., who claims he was assaulted by Republican nominee Greg Gianforte, though the sheriff couldn’t provide much context since the investigation is still “active.”

"The main reason why we're having this press conference right now, I need to ask you, all of the media and the public to stop calling our dispatch center," Gootkin said Wednesday night, talking with reporters for about 10 minutes.

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"They're being inundated with phone calls from the public and from you folks and that is absolutely impeding their business. ... I ask that everyone out there stops calling 911."

Gootkin told reporters in Montana that deputies briefly interviewed Gianforte, Jacobs and several witnesses following the incident which occurred at 5 p.m. local time.

The sheriff said Jacobs has been released from the hospital and is currently at their offices. When asked if the alleged victim would be filing charges, Gootkin responded, "The victim is being interviewed as we speak."

When asked if Gianforte had declined to talk to the sheriff, Gootkin said his office hadn't spoken with the Montana congressional candidate except when they were at the scene.

Once Jacobs and the witnesses are done being interviewed, Gootkin said he will try to interview Gianforte, but noted that he has the right to decline.

The incident comes hours before Montanans head to the polls in the highly anticipated special election. Gianforte faces a tough race against Democrat Rob Quist for the seat vacated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

Jacobs tweeted following the incident that Gianforte body slammed him and broke his glasses. Other reporters nearby said they heard shouting before the Montana Republican allegedly assaulted Jacobs.

Shortly after the incident, The Guardian posted audio of the exchange between Jacobs and Gianforte, which appeared to back up the reporter’s account.

But a spokesman for Gianforte sent a statement that offered a different telling of events, saying that Jacobs "entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face and began asking badgering questions."

"Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face. Jacobs grabbed Greg's wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground. It's unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ," the statement said.

House Democrats quickly seized on the incident, calling on Gianforte to resign and for Republican groups to condemn the allegations.

“Greg Gianforte must immediately withdraw his candidacy after his alleged violent assault of an innocent journalist,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Tyler Law said in a statement.

“Further, Speaker [Paul] Ryan [R-Wis.] and the National Republican Campaign Committee should not waste another minute before publicly denouncing their candidate and apologizing for the millions of dollars they spent on his behalf.”