Shocking Moment Gunman Storms White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Leaving One Officer Shot and Trump Vowing to ‘Not Let Anybody Take Over Our Society’
- CCTV footage captures the alleged shooter sprinting past security and towards the hall where Trump and other top leaders were gathered
- One Secret Service officer shot but saved by bulletproof vest as Trump and Melania Trump evacuated from the annual dinner
- Trump calls the shooter a ‘very sick person’ and vows to reschedule the dinner, saying ‘we’re not going to let anybody take over our society’
- Alleged gunman, believed to be a guest at the Washington Hilton Hotel, charged with firearm possession offences and other crimes
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, typically a night of glamour and humor, turned into a scene of chaos and terror on Saturday night when a gunman stormed the event, leaving one Secret Service officer shot and President Trump vowing to not let the incident dictate the country’s spirit.
The shocking incident occurred at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were among the guests evacuated from the dinner.
CCTV footage posted by Trump on Truth Social shows the alleged shooter, identified as a guest at the hotel, sprinting towards the hall where the president and other officials were gathered.
The video appears to show Secret Service members reacting quickly, pointing their guns at the shooter.
According to eyewitnesses, officers swarmed the banquet hall as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds. Several Secret Service agents reportedly yelled “shots fired” while others yelled “out of the way, sir!”.
One officer was shot during the exchange with the alleged gunman but was saved by a bulletproof vest.
Trump, who has been the target of multiple assassination attempts, including a notable incident in 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania, described the shooter as a “very sick person”.
He said one officer was shot from a “very close distance with a very powerful gun” but was doing great and had high spirits. Trump also revealed that his wife Melania was left shaken by the incident, calling it a “traumatic experience” for her.
In a press conference 30 minutes after the incident, Trump expressed his admiration for the quick response of the Secret Service, saying the “response time was really incredible”.
He also vowed to reschedule the dinner, stating that “we’re not going to let anybody take over our society. We’re not going to cancel things out, because we can’t do that”.
The alleged shooter, who was detained by authorities and is believed to have acted alone, will be charged with firearm possession offences and other crimes. Acting United States Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges will include “anything else we can get on this guy”.
Interim Metropolitan DC Police Chief Jeffery Carroll revealed that the alleged gunman was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. He did not strike the suspect with gunfire but did exchange shots during the altercation with Secret Service agents and other authorities.
Trump’s attendance at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington was his first as president. The incident has raised concerns about security and the increasing threats against high-profile targets.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The incident highlights the growing threat of violence against high-profile targets and the need for increased security measures. Security analysts say that the incident demonstrates the importance of having robust security protocols in place, particularly for high-profile events.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the threat of violence against high-profile targets is becoming increasingly common and that authorities must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively.
Industry observers believe that the incident will lead to a re-evaluation of security measures for high-profile events and a greater emphasis on intelligence gathering to prevent such incidents.
The incident also raises concerns about the mental health of individuals who carry out such attacks and the need for greater support and resources to address these issues.
As the world watches the developments in this incident, one thing is clear: the threat of violence against high-profile targets is real, and it requires a proactive and collaborative approach from law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and the community to prevent such incidents.
