President Donald Trump said on Saturday that authorities had apprehended a shooter after he was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” Trump said. “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. 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.”
Secret Service agents and other law enforcement officials escorted Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other U.S. leaders away from the head table at the event, as other guests ducked under tables. Some 2,600 journalists, politicians, and celebrities were in attendance.
A White House press pool report indicated there were several loud bangs, which could be heard on a livestream of the event, when Secret Service with guns drawn rushed the press pool out of the room, shouting “shots fired.”
Some time later, White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang said the program was expected to resume shortly.
Saturday evening’s dinner marked the first time Trump attended the annual WHCD as president; he had elected to skip the event during his first term.
Protesters had gathered outside the event, holding anti-Trump and anti-war signs. Some demonstrators waved Iranian and Palestinian flags
