US President Donald Trump has described the suspect behind the shooting at a Washington media gala as a “would-be assassin,” saying the individual was heavily armed and managed to breach security before being stopped.
The incident occurred on Saturday night during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, where gunfire near a security checkpoint sparked panic and forced the evacuation of senior officials, journalists and guests.
According to a BBC report on Sunday, Trump said the suspect “charged past a security checkpoint” while carrying multiple weapons. He added that one law enforcement officer was shot but survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect was swiftly apprehended by Secret Service agents, while the president, the first lady and other high-profile attendees were safely escorted from the venue.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with guests diving under tables as armed security personnel moved quickly to secure the area.
Trump also raised concerns about the venue’s security, describing it as “not a particularly secure building” following the breach.
The event has since been cancelled and is expected to be rescheduled, as investigations continue into the motive of the suspect and how the security lapse occurred.
The shooting has renewed scrutiny over safety arrangements at high-profile public events in the United States, especially those involving top political figures and members of the press.
