US President Donald Trump was reported unharmed, while other senior US leaders were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night following an unspecified threat. There were no immediate reports of injuries, though a law enforcement official indicated that a gunman had opened fire, as reported by AP.
Secret Service agents and other authorities quickly flooded the banquet hall at the Washington Hilton, as hundreds of attendees took cover beneath tables. Shouts of “Out of the way, sir!” and calls for people to duck echoed through the room, AP reported.
Watch video from the press dinner here:
Tactical teams armed with guns took position on the stage where Trump had been sitting with First Lady Melania Trump to evacuate the President after loud noises were heard at the venue. Meanwhile, other top leaders took cover as police swarmed the Washington Hilton Hotel where the event was taking place, and helicopters hovered overhead. The pool report said the alleged shooter was in custody, citing the Secret Service, AFP reported.
While no immediate injuries were reported, of the United States were evacuated from the press dinner unharmed. As per latest update, most WHCD attendees are closed inside the ballroom and cannot leave.
According to dinner organizers, there will be an “ shortly, we will be resuming shortly” from the stage. As police cars tore up and down the block and sirens blared, a group of party-goers headed to the Renwick Museum stopped at police tape as the streets and sidewalks were blocked off.
What we know about the shooter at White House Correspondents’ Dinner and shots fired?
As per AP report, someone in the crowd heard firing of 5 to 8 shots. Chaos erupted after the loud sound and a law enforcement official confirmed that there was a shooter, but no further details were provided.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro shared a short video from the Hilton hotel after the incident and said, “I have been taken out of the ballroom after the sound of the shots fired. The Secret Service is now in charge of this building, this hotel. I just spoke to Mayor Muriel Bowser. She is on her way, and (Police) Chief Jeffery Carroll is on his way. He will be in charge as soon as he gets here.”
Annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner
Trump attended the annual in Washington on Saturday for the first time as president, placing his administration’s often tense relationship with the media in full view.
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He arrived at an event where leaders of a nation at war mixed with celebrities, journalists, and even a comedic puppet, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. The dinner traditionally sparks debate over whether reporters and the figures they cover should socialise and set aside their typically adversarial roles.
Trump drew particular attention at the gathering, hosted by the journalists who report on him and his administration. Previous presidents who attended the dinner have usually highlighted the importance of free speech and the First Amendment, often adding lighthearted jokes about members of the press.
(With inputs from agencies)
