Panic broke out in Washington on Saturday night after a suspected gunman opened fire near the venue hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, forcing the evacuation of Donald Trump and other top U.S. officials.
The suspect was later arrested by security officers after gunshots were reported around the main screening area of the event, which was being held at the Washington Hilton.
Initial reports of the shooting were not immediately made public, but eyewitness accounts later confirmed that between five and eight shots were heard, sending guests scrambling for cover under tables as security agents rushed in.
The United States Secret Service quickly secured the scene, with heavily armed personnel taking control of the venue while hundreds of attendees were evacuated.
President Trump, who was whisked to safety along with the First Lady, Vice President and Cabinet members, later confirmed that all key officials were unharmed.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump said in a statement.
He added that the suspect had been apprehended and initially suggested the programme should continue, but said he would defer to security agencies.
Authorities later decided to call off the event, with plans to reschedule it within 30 days.
At a subsequent press briefing, Trump disclosed that the suspect was armed with multiple weapons. He also revealed that one officer was hit during the incident but was protected by a bulletproof vest.
According to the president, he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for something less serious, but the First Lady quickly realised the danger.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Security footage released after the incident showed a man breaching the security checkpoint before armed officers moved in and subdued him.
The incident triggered a massive security response, with members of the National Guard deployed inside and around the venue, while access to the area was tightly restricted.
The shooting adds to a growing list of security threats involving Trump, who has previously survived multiple assassination attempts during his political career.
Credit: BBC
