Secret Service Agents were able to stop the unmasked man from hurting anyone seriously, though it is reported one agent was hit in the commotion in his gun vest
Donald Trump was rushed from a dinner as a lone gunman fired shots. Secret Service Agents were able to stop the unmasked man from hurting anyone seriously, though it is reported one agent was hit in the commotion in his gun vest.
Now the US leader has issued a defiant statement minutes after the shooter opened fire at the WHCA event. “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 entirely be guided by Law Enforcement,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He said he wanted the event to continue on after the shooting threat was neutralised but “took the advice” of top law enforcement specialists who advised him to call it off, and try again another day.
Speaking at the time he said: “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. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The President was due to carry out his speech, but was stopped in his tracks and rushed off the main stage and out of the function room after loud bangs rang out during the event.
The security also whisked first lady Melania Trump, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and several others off the stage including JD Vance.
Approximately an hour after the shots rang out, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service Anthony Guglielmi issued a statement, saying, “The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.”
On X, the FBI’s Washington field wrote, “The FBI Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad has responded to a shooting at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The subject is in custody.”
Others who attended were initially not allowed to leave.
They were put on lockdown for around an hour after the shots were fired.
Guests crouched down under their tables for safety and were not permitted to leave the room while security tried to get the situation under control.
President of the WHCA and Senior White House Correspondent for CBS News, Weijia Jiang, returned to the stage to make an announcement once things were under control.
She said that security had ordered them to evacuate the premises and that the event would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.