A number of gunshots were fired
US President Donald Trump was forced to be evacuated from the White House’s correspondent’s dinner after gunshots were fired on the premises.
The incident is reported to have happened at 20:35 Eastern Time on Saturday evening (01:35 BST in the UK).
Both Trump and his wife Melania were evacuated immediately from the premises as videos from the incident circulating online show people ducking for cover under tables.
The White House correspondents’ dinner is an American press tradition that dates back to 1921, and is historically attended by the sitting president.
This was the first time Trump had attended the event as a sitting president.
What happened?
The incident took place at the Washington Hilton hotel where the event was taking place and around 2,000 people were gathered.
CCTV footage shared by Trump shows a person running past security who then turn and chase them.
An exchange of shots is alleged to have then taken place between the person and security, with CBS citing police sources that around five to eight shots were exchanged.
Meanwhile, in the room the loud bangs could be heard at a distance and a commotion began to unfurl as people ducked for cover.
The Trumps, who had their seats on stage, were rushed to safety by security while the room was briefly put on lockdown before reopening.
Was anyone hurt?
No one was hurt in the incident with the suspect being apprehended before doing any physical harm.
Trump said that one Secret Service officer was shot at very close range, but was saved by his bullet-proof vest.
Who is the suspect?
A person was apprehended at the scene as the main suspect with Trump posting an image of the man to Truth Social.
US media have quoted law enforcement sources as identifying the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.
As per CBS, two sources said that Allen had told law enforcement that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials.
At a press conference, Washington DC’s interim police chief Jeffery Carroll said the alleged gunman was a hotel guest where the event was taking place.
Carroll said he was “armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives”.
US attorney for Washington Jeanine Pirro said the suspect was facing two counts for using firearm during crime of violence and assault on federal officers using dangerous weapon.
She added that he would be formally charged on Monday in federal court.
How have people reacted?
Trump himself and a number of important global figures have commented on the incident, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer wrote in a statement: “I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is a huge relief that POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”
Meanwhile, Trump himself has of course had plenty to say, taking to Truth Social in the immediate aftermath.
He wrote: “Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room.
“The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”
He said in the press conference that he assumed he was the target of the incident, saying: “The people who make the biggest impact, those are the ones they go after.”
He added: “It’s always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me a little bit,” referring to previous similar incident.
“It was very quick. There wasn’t a lot of time to be thinking … I don’t like to let these sick people, these thugs, these horrible, horrible people change the fabric of our lives, change the course of what we do,” he said.
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