US President Donald Trump was escorted out of the Washington Hilton after shots were fired during the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday night, causing a stampede in the packed banquet hall.President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were immediately evacuated from the ballroom by tactical teams and taken to a secure location.Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as a 30-year-old man from California, according to multiple law enforcement officials on the latest developments cited by CNN.According to Agence France-Presse, the suspect has been detained by the United States Secret Service. Separately, sources familiar with the matter told Fox News that a man attempted to go through security with a gun, but was stopped by the Secret Service before reaching the ballroom. The suspect was later taken “offsite”.Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the suspected “shooter” had been captured, praising law enforcement. He also called for carrying forward the program as per plan.Also read: Shooter fired five to eight bullets at White House dinner, Donald Trump evacuated – what we know so farAccording to multiple media reports citing cabinet members and attendees, five to eight shots were fired. The officer, wearing a bullet-resistant vest, was shot at the correspondent’s dinner but is expected to recover, the AP reported, citing a law enforcement official.As security gathered at the venue, guests hid under tables and shouted warnings, while the hall was rapidly evacuated.Also read: Who was the shooter at Trump’s WH dinner – what we know so farAs authorities locked down the complex, members of the National Guard took up position inside, allowing people to exit but not re-enter, with tight security outside. The United States Secret Service has taken a suspect into custody, although further details about the incident are awaited.As cited by the AP, the Washington Hilton, longtime venue of the White House correspondents’ dinner, is typically open to the public during the event, allowing regular guests to enter the hotel as usual.Security measures generally center around the ballroom where the dinner is held, with comparatively limited screening for individuals not attending the event.
