President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other officials were evacuated from the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday after shots were fired. The president was uninjured. One agent announced a shooter was in custody over the radio, the pool said, as per CNN.
Chaos broke out at the annual White House Correspondents' dinner as a sudden security threat forced an emergency evacuation. "Out of the way, sir!" someone yelled as panic spread through the crowded banquet hall.
A law enforcement official confirmed to The Associated Press that a shooter had opened fire, though details remained unclear in the immediate aftermath. Several attendees reported hearing what they believed were five to eight gunshots. Despite the confusion, there were no immediate reports of injuries.
A close Trump ally, Laura Loomer, brought up a Ronald Reagan link. "They're trying to kill President Trump again at the same location Ronald Reagan was shot," she posted on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
On March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his term, John Hinckley Jr shot Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Hinckley fired six shots from a .22-caliber revolver. One bullet ricocheted off the armored limousine and struck Reagan under his left armpit, lodging near his heart.
Reagan was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He recovered and was back at the White House within two weeks.
Trump confirmed that the shooter is in custody. The WHCA event will resume as planned.
