President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump have been evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after several loud bangs were heard inside the ballroom.
Secret Service agents, with guns drawn, rushed into the ball room where Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were seated on stage with members of the White House Correspondents’ Association board and VP JD Vance.
Secret Service agents pushed the White House press pool back, shouting, “Shots fired.”
The Secret Service could be overheard saying an alleged shooter is in custody according to members of the press pool at the scene.
Many journalists and their guests across the room ducked under tables in the Washington Hilton ballroom as the scene unfolded.
Kash Patel was seen walking briskly past the press pool while speaking on his cellphone.
Despite the disruption, WHCA President Weijia Jiang initially said the program will resume.
Trump confirms the shooter has been apprehended
President Trump made an official statement on social media at 9:17 pm following the evacuation.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘let the show go on,’ but will be entirely guided by law enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”
The presidential seal has been removed from the podium, an indication that law enforcement has not cleared Donald Trump to return to the ballroom and attend the dinner. The dinner won’t continue. The President will hold a press briefing at the White House this evening.
The United States Secret Service says it is investigating a shooting near the main security screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, working alongside local police.
Officials say the president, the first lady and all protected individuals are safe. One suspect is in custody, while the condition of those involved remains unclear as authorities continue to assess the situation, according to Anthony Guglielmi.
As of now, there is a heavy police presence in the area, with a helicopter circling above the Washington Hilton, and authorities have shut down access along Connecticut Avenue.
Donald Trump previously attended the dinner as a private citizen in 2011, when he was famously roasted by then-President Barack Obama.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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