Trump evacuation after shots fired outside White House Correspondents dinner venue

US President Donald Trump and senior officials were moved to safety after gunfire erupted outside the Washington Hilton. The shots were fired during the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Officials said the group left the ballroom unharmed. Guests inside the hall took cover as security personnel rushed in to control the situation.

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The incident happened on Saturday at about 8:34 PM, as dinner was being served. Trump had been speaking with Weijia Jiang and mentalist Oz Pearlman. Secret Service staff shielded Trump and escorted Donald Trump away. Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance, and Usha Vance were also taken out from the head table.

Trump dinner evacuation after Washington Hilton shooting

Soon after, Trump posted online: "The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition,\" Trump posted on social media soon after the incident. Trump also said on Truth Social that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days. Inside the ballroom, several invitees ducked under tables, apparently by reflex.

Hours later, Trump spoke at a White House press conference. Trump said security personnel had detained one person from California. \"I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray going down. Ive heard that many times. It was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. He the attacker hadnt reached the area at all. They really got him,\" Trump told reporters, recalling the incident.

Trump said one security officer was fired at during the attack. Trump said the officer survived because of a bulletproof vest. A CNN reporter outside the ballroom said a gunman fired just a few feet away. A C-SPAN reporter said: \"Boom, boom, boom, boom is all that I heard, and many guests ducked under the table,\" a C-SPAN reporter at the dinner said.

Cole Tomas Allen arrest in White House Correspondents Association shooting

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California. Allen was arrested, officials said. CNN, citing Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, reported the suspect charged through a security checkpoint. The report said the suspect appeared to be targeting Trump administration officials. A law enforcement official told CNN the suspect was not previously flagged.

Outside the hotel, several protestors had gathered on the road. The group raised slogans against the Trump administration and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Law enforcement swarmed the venue after the shots. Dozens of attendees took cover as the scene was secured. The dinner drew leaders, journalists, and guests from across political views.

World leaders react to White House Correspondents Association shooting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said political violence had no place in a democracy. \"I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,\" Modi said in a post on X. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned attacks on democratic institutions, and expressed shock.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and Canadian PM Mark Carney offered support. Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also reacted. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Australian PM Anthony Albanese called the attack unacceptable. Delcy Rodriguez, acting President of Venezuela after Nicolas Maduro’s capture by US forces, condemned the attack too.

US lawmakers respond after White House Correspondents Association shooting

US lawmakers from both parties said political violence was unacceptable. Nancy Pelosi said it was a great relief that those at the dinner were safe. \"The brave men and women of the United States Secret Service and local law enforcement are to be commended for their swift action to secure the scene and protect those present,\" Pelosi said. Pelosi added: \"My thoughts are with the brave Secret Service agent who was shot.\"

Democrat leader Ro Khanna said: \"Political violence is completely unacceptable. There is no place for it in our country,\" Democrat leader Ro Khanna said. Republican leader Steve Scalise thanked law enforcement for swift action. Scalise said the dinner was meant to unite people, and wrote: \"Violence has NO place in our country,\" Scalise, the House Majority Leader, said in a post on X.

Mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani said political violence was absolutely unacceptable. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and wife Kelly attended the dinner. Johnson said they were thankful that no innocent people were harmed. Johnson said everyone was now safe. Officials continued to review security after the gunfire and the evacuation.

Eyewitness account from White House Correspondents Association dinner

Amit Kumar Sharma, Business Head of a software company in the capital, said he was inside the venue. Sharma said the event seemed well managed at first. Sharma said chaos followed after reports of gunshots. Sharma said around 4000 people were on the hotel premises. Sharma added it was Trump’s first planned appearance at the annual dinner.

When asked how the incident affected him as president, Trump said the job carried risk. \"I like not to think about it. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, its a dangerous life. I think I handle it as well as it can be handled,\" Trump said. Trump also noted the crowd included varied political groups.

Trump described the gathering as broad and record-setting. \"I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives...everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd,\" he said. Trump later appealed for calm after the shooting. \"We had some great work done by law enforcement, but in light of this evenings events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully,\" Trump said.

At the press appearance, Trump stood with Melania Trump and Vice President Vance. FBI Director Kash Patel was also present. Other officials included Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, Markwayne Mullin, and Todd Blanche. The White House Correspondents Association dinner was expected to continue later, but plans shifted after the evacuation and the arrest.

Trump has faced two assassination attempts over the past two years. The first took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The second happened in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024. After Saturday’s shooting, officials said Trump and top aides were unharmed, while investigations focused on the arrested suspect.

With inputs from PTI