Washington — President Donald Trump was uninjured Saturday night after reports of shots fired near the White House correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton, and other senior U.S. officials were evacuated following an unspecified threat, authorities said.
A law enforcement official said a shooter opened fire outside the ballroom where Trump and guests were seated. Initial information indicated no apparent injuries inside the ballroom, but details remained limited and the evening’s event was canceled; organizers said it will be rescheduled.
“We will do this again,” said Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, as staff began breaking down table settings and the presidential lectern.
Secret Service agents and other law enforcement swarmed the banquet hall as hundreds of guests ducked under tables. Audible gasps ran through the room while journalists used phones to relay information. People shouted warnings — “Out of the way, sir!” and calls to duck — and a “God Bless America” chant began as Trump was escorted off the stage. He briefly fell, apparently tripping, and Secret Service agents helped him up.
A law enforcement official confirmed there was a shooter but offered no additional immediate details. All officials protected by the Secret Service were evacuated. One law enforcement officer was struck in a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to be OK, an official told The Associated Press.
