Chaos ensued at the White House Correspondents' Dinner after multiple shots were fired inside the banquet hall on Saturday night. Secret Service agents evacuated US President Donald Trump from the venue, fearing another assassination bid against him.
An hour after the incident, for the first time, Donald Trump released images and CCTV footage of the shooter being captured by agents on Truth Social, stating that the suspect had been apprehended.
Here's a blow-by-blow account of what actually went down during the shooting incident:
- First shots heard at 8:35pm: At 8:35pm eastern time, guests at the Washington Hilton were urged to take cover after multiple bangs were heard in the banquet hall, moments before Donald Trump was scheduled to start his address at the event.
- POTUS, First Lady, VP and others evacuated: As the first few shots rang through the banquet hall at the Hilton, Secret Service agents rushed to evacuate President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other key members of the Trump administration.
- Suspect in custody: Shortly after the evacuation, law enforcement officials told the media that the suspect had been neutralised and was in custody.
- Trump makes first remarks: At 9:17pm ET, POTUS took to Truth Social and addressed the situation, stating that the Secret Service 'acted quickly and bravely,' confirming that the shooter had been apprehended.
- Trump holds emergency briefing: In an emergency briefing, US President Donald Trump told reporters that the shooter is from California and was carrying multiple weapons.
- Charges filed against suspect: At 11:12 pm ET, Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, told reporters the suspect was being charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
