A major dinner for journalists in Washington, DC, ended suddenly on Saturday night after gunshots were heard near the ballroom where US President Donald Trump was seated.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was being held at the Washington Hilton hotel. President Trump was attending the event with First Lady Melania Trump. Secret Service agents quickly moved them out of the room less than 20 minutes after they had arrived.
The dinner is held each year to celebrate journalists who report on the White House. Around 2,500 guests, including reporters, politicians and senior officials, were at the event. Some guests later said they felt security checks at the entrance were not as strict as expected. Several reporters said they entered by showing a ticket, while others described only light checks.
The incident happened during dinner, while guests were eating and talking. Many people first thought the loud bangs were plates or trays falling. Secret Service agents then shouted for people to get down and began moving important guests to safety. Outside the ballroom, officials said a 31-year-old man had rushed through a security area with weapons before being stopped.
Police said the suspect was arrested and that no injuries were reported. One Secret Service agent was protected by a bulletproof vest after being shot at, according to Trump. Officials have not yet explained how the man got so close to the event.
