(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and members of Trump's cabinet are OK after being rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night when shots were fired at the event.
The White House said Trump and the others are unharmed and the person who fired the shots is in custody.
The Center Square's White House Bureau Chief Sarah Roderick-Fitch was in attendance at the event, held at the Washington Hilton hotel, and said she heard a loud noise before attendees started screaming. Secret Service agents then stormed the room and began escorting people out, Roderick-Fitch said.
Roderick-Fitch said she saw Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being escorted out. She also said members of Trump's Cabinet were taken to a safe area. The event has since been cancelled.
Trump announced on Truth Social law enforcement asked people to leave the hotel and a news conference was planned for 10 p.m. Saturday at the White House.
"Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days. President DONALD J. TRUMP," Trump said in social media.
In a statement released around 9:30 p.m. eastern time Saturday, the Secret Service said an incident took place near a security scanning area.
"The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The president and the first lady are safe along [with] all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation."
Trump praised law enforcement and the Secret Service on social media immediately after the incident.
"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP," Trump said.
The event took place in the Washington, D.C. Hilton, less than 2 miles from the White House. The Hilton was also the place where John Hinckley Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981.
This is a developing story.
Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square. He welcomes your comments. Contact Dan at dmccaleb@thecentersquare.com.
Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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