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U.S. President Donald Trump was uninjured and other top officials were extricated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after what the Secret Service called a “shooting incident.”
There did not immediately appear to be any injuries.
Authorities said the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated.
The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall at the Washington Hilton hotel as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds.
Audible gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests realized something was happening.
Hundreds of journalists got on phones to call in information.
“Out of the way, sir!” someone yelled. Others yelled to duck.
The Secret Service said in a statement that that they were working with local police to investigate “a shooting incident” near the screening area outside the venue, adding a person was in custody.
In a news conference later on Saturday, Trump said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service agents. He said one officer was shot, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest.
Video captured inside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday showed the moment Secret Service agents rushed to U.S. President Donald Trump and moved him out of the area after loud noises.
Security footage posted by Trump on social media shows a man sprinting through the metal detectors and past law enforcement, who turn toward him with guns raised. Officers then swarm toward the man off-screen.
At the same news conference, D.C. officials say they believe the suspect acted alone and that there does not appear to be an active threat to the community.
A potential target and motive are not yet known, but authorities say the suspect was believed to be a hotel guest.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect has been charged with firearms and assault charges.
The White House correspondents’ association president said the event will be rescheduled.
