Donald Trump’s first appearance at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner as a sitting president descended into turmoil when, just minutes after the event began, gunfire erupted inside the crowded venue and he was rushed out by security.
Trump had seemed upbeat beforehand, speaking with CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang shortly after her opening remarks.
That exchange was abruptly cut short when several shots were heard in quick succession. Secret Service agents immediately moved in, instructing Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to take cover before escorting them out of the room.
Other high-profile guests, including Cabinet officials, were also evacuated from the ballroom as authorities worked to secure the building and eliminate any remaining threat.
According to The Associated Press, neither the president nor the vice president was injured.
Not long after the disturbance, CNN reported that the shooter had been killed.
At this stage, officials have not released more information about who carried out the attack or what may have motivated it, while hundreds of attendees are still reeling from what happened.
As details continue to emerge, an announcement was made over the venue’s system indicating the evening’s schedule would continue after an update on the incident.
‘resume shortly’
The message drew cheers from the crowd, though the atmosphere reportedly remained tense as people tried to make sense of the shooting.
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