President Donald Trump stated on Saturday night (the 25th) that the suspect involved in the shootings during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner had been detained, praising the Secret Service and law enforcement for their response.
“What a night in Washington, D.C. The Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted with speed and courage,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The shooter has been detained, and I urged that ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON,’ but we will fully follow the authorities’ guidance,” he added.
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the shooting. “The president and the First Lady are safe, as are all protected persons,” said Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service’s chief of communications, in a statement. According to the document, one person is in custody.
Five shots, confusion and scrambling
At least five shots were heard at the event held at the Washington Hilton hotel, where hundreds of people had gathered that night.
The shots echoed in the ballroom as attendees were dining on the first course, minutes after the speech by the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, Weija Jiang. People ducked under tables and others ran after the gunfire.
Trump, who was seated at the front of the ballroom beside First Lady Melania Trump, was quickly surrounded by security personnel, while many guests crouched under tables.
The presence of Trump at the dinner is unusual. Historically, US presidents attend the event, but Trump has missed most dinners since his victory in the 2016 presidential election, according to Bloomberg.
The dinner is a charitable event whose proceeds partially go to scholarships for journalism students. But the event also attracts celebrities who mingle with politicians and members of the press.
The event will be postponed and rescheduled within 30 days, according to the organizers of the dinner.
