Breaking: US President Trump Rushed Off Stage as Suspected Shooter Storms White House Event
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Breaking: US President Trump Rushed Off Stage as Suspected Shooter Storms White House Event

  • Panic erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after gunshots were heard
  • President Donald Trump and top officials were evacuated swiftly as Secret Service agents secured the venue
  • Authorities confirmed a suspect was taken into custody while thousands remained under lockdown inside the ballroom

President Donald Trump was hurried out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night after multiple loud bangs, feared to be gunfire, erupted inside the Washington Hilton.

Guests were told to dive under tables as chaos swept through the ballroom at the hotel in the American capital.

Panic grips a high-profile Washington event as suspected gunshots ring out.
Suspected gunshots caused panic at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Photo: BBC
Source: Twitter

Secret Service agents rushed the president and first lady from the hightable. Armed members of the Counter Assault Team soon took positions on stage, rifles directed toward the rear of the room.

FBI Director Kash Patel was shielded by an agent who climbed over tables to evacuate him. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials also exited quickly.

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Trump releases CCTV footage showing gunman running towards White House event

Thousands of attendees remained locked in the main ballroom for nearly an hour. Many reporters filed dispatches from beneath their dinner tables.

The Secret Service later confirmed that all protectees, including the president and vice president, were safe.

Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said one individual was in custody. Trump posted on Truth Social that the suspect had been “apprehended” and that he wanted the event to continue, though law enforcement advised otherwise.

Security camera images captured the man dashing past metal detectors
Trump shared CCTV footage on social media showing the suspected gunman running to the event. Photo: SocialTruth/DonaldJTrump
Source: Getty Images

Trump announces postponement of event

Against his will and after unyielding insistence by his security team, President Trump has announced the postponement of the dinner to a later date.

He made the announcement in a briefing at the White House, where he officially informed the press about what looked like another attempt on his life.

He said another date will be set promptly for the event, adding that it will definitely happen within 30 days.

Trump hailed the security team who escorted him out of danger and appreciated the media handling of the situation.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha avatar

Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng