Agencies | Washington:
US President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after multiple gunshots were reported near the venue, triggering panic among attendees at the Washington Hilton.
The US Secret Service later confirmed that the President, the First Lady, Vice President, and all other protected individuals were safe. Authorities said a suspected shooter has been taken into custody, according to reports.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes inside the ballroom, where journalists, officials, and guests had gathered for the annual event. Many attendees took cover under tables as security personnel moved swiftly to secure the premises. “We all crawled under our table for what felt like a long time,” a journalist present at the event said.
The incident reportedly began around 8:30 pm local time, when loud noises—initially mistaken for breaking glass—were heard. Within moments, Secret Service agents evacuated key officials from the venue and began clearing the area, declaring it a “crime scene.”
The presidential motorcade departed shortly thereafter, while a heavy security cordon was established around the hotel. In a statement posted online, Trump confirmed that all senior officials were “in perfect condition” and announced that the event would be postponed and rescheduled within 30 days.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the suspect or the motive behind the incident. An investigation is currently underway.
