A massive chaos broke out on Saturday evening after suspected gunshots were fired in the lobby of the Washington Hilton, leading to the evacuation of US President Donald Trump and other senior officials from the White House Correspondents' Dinner. President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were immediately evacuated from the ballroom by tactical teams and moved to a secure location.
What happened at the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
The security incident occurred at approximately 8:45 PM EDT as dinner service was underway. Witnesses reported hearing "loud, rhythmic sounds" echoing from the lobby area, which were quickly identified as gunfire. The evacuation took place shortly after 8:30 PM, local time, after loud sounds were reported from the lobby area.
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How did chaos erupt at WHCD?
After the sound of shots, dinner attendees immediately stopped talking, and people started screaming, “Get down, get down!" Hundreds of guests dove under the tables as Secret Service officers in combat gear ran into the dining room. Trump and the first lady had bent down behind the dais before being hustled out by Secret Service officers. Many of the 2,600 attendees took cover while waiters fled to the front of the dining hall.
(Security officials evacuate US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines, as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner | CREDIT: REUTERS)
Is US President Donald Trump safe?
Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner by Secret Service agents, officials said. About an hour after Trump was rushed from the event, he posted on Truth Social that he and his wife, Melania, are safe and added that the "shooter had been apprehended." Trump said, “Let the show go on”.
(Donald Trump salutes during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington | CREDIT: REUTERS)
Gunman shot at Secret Service agent
A man armed with a shotgun fired at a Secret Service agent, an FBI official told Reuters. The agent was hit in an area covered by protective gear and not harmed, the official said. All federal officials, including Trump, were safe. About an hour after Trump was rushed from the event, he posted on Truth Social that a "shooter had been apprehended."
Trump addresses press conference
An hour later Trump addressed a press conference where he confirmed that the shooter was arrested and added he is completely fine. When asked whether he was the target, Trump said, "I guess...". However, the US President maintained the gunman was far away from his sitting arrangements and added the Secret agent did a very good job as the gunman was equipped with multiple weapons.
(With inputs from agencies)
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