Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, April 26 

US President Donald Trump and senior officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after a gunman opened fire outside the venue in Washington on Saturday, officials said.

The incident occurred around 8:34 pm at the Washington Hilton, where hundreds of journalists, politicians and guests had gathered for the high-profile event.

US Secret Service agents shielded Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance before escorting them out of the ballroom, witnesses said. Attendees were seen taking cover under tables as shots were heard.

“The First Lady, the Vice President and all Cabinet members are in perfect condition,” Trump said in a post on social media shortly after the incident, adding later that the event would be rescheduled.

Authorities said one suspect had been taken into custody. Trump told reporters a security officer was struck but protected by a bulletproof vest.

“I heard a loud noise… they got him quickly,” Trump said at a late-night press conference at the White House.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was cited by media reports as saying the suspect appeared to be targeting members of the administration. 

Law enforcement officials said the individual was not previously on their radar.

World leaders condemned the incident and expressed relief that no senior officials were harmed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said political violence has no place in a democracy, while Britain’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron issued similar statements.

Domestic political leaders from both parties also denounced the violence. 

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the swift response of security personnel, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said those attending were grateful no one was seriously harmed.

Authorities said investigations were ongoing into the shooting, which disrupted one of Washington’s most prominent annual gatherings of media and political figures.