WASHINGTON (Kashmir English): US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner by Secret Service agents on Saturday night after a loud, unidentified noise was heard.
Other officials of the Trump administration attending the dinner were also evacuated after a loud noise and commotion near the hotel ballroom where the dinner was being held.
Around 2,600 people were attending the dinner who took cover while waiters fled to the front of the dining hall.
Shortly before being escorted off the stage by security, the first lady appeared to react to something in the crowd and had a concerned look on her face, according to a live feed from CSPAN.
According to Russian media claims, a shooter was killed at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner by the President’s security detail after allegedly opening fire, saying multiple rounds were fired before the suspect was neutralized.
However, President Trump, in a Truth Social post, said that security agencies acted swiftly, confirming that a suspect had been detained.
Commenting on the incident in Washington, he praised the response by the security team.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” he said in the post.
“The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly,” he added.
