Leaders from around the world have condemned an act of “political violence” and expressed relief that US president Donald Trump, officials and journalists were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House correspondents dinner, The Guardian reported.
Donald and Melania Trump, as well as members of the US cabinet, were evacuated from the ballroom at the Washington Hilton on Saturday after gunshots could be heard from the hotel lobby.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, whose government had been locked in tense trade talks with the US, said on social platform X: “I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington tonight.”
“Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event.”
The leader of America’s southern neighbour, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, said it was “good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events”.
“We send them our respect. Violence must never be the way,” Sheinbaum said.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear all attendees were safe. “We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” he said in a statement.
The British ambassador to the United States, Christian Turner, and some embassy officials were in attendance at the dinner. He said on X that he and others were “grateful for the swift and professional response of the secret service”.
“We are thankful that the president and those in attendance were unharmed & our best wishes are with the injured officer,” Turner said.
Jeffrey Carroll, the DC police chief, said investigators believe the suspect did fire a shot and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. He also said the suspect is believed to have been a guest at the hotel.
Muriel Bowser, the Washington DC mayor, said in a press conference on Saturday night that a sole gunman rushed at the Secret Service in the lobby of the hotel. There is no reason to believe that anyone else was involved in the incident, she said.
The suspect is in custody and being “evaluated” at a local hospital. He was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, the Associated Press is reporting, citing two law enforcement officials.
