More than four decades after surviving an assassination attempt on then US President Ronald Reagan at the Washington Hilton Hotel, a similar scene of terror unfolded at the same location on Saturday night.The site of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the Washington Hilton is sometimes colloquially called the “Hinckley Hilton” by locals, a reference to Reagan’s firing on March 30, 1981. During that incident, John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at Reagan in a matter of seconds.One of the bullets hit the presidential limousine and hit Ronald Reagan in the chest, seriously wounding him. Three others, including press secretary James Brady, a police officer and a Secret Service agent, were also injured.As cited by Fox News, Secret Service agents immediately loaded Reagan into the vehicle and drove him to George Washington University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and survived.John Hinckley Jr. was arrested at the scene and later found not guilty by reason of insanity.On Saturday night, US President Donald Trump was evacuated to a secure location after reports of shots fired during the White House correspondents dinner in Washington, sparking panic inside the venue and a rapid, massive security response. Trump, who was sitting at the main table, was shocked to hear the gunshots, while First Lady Melania Trump was also shaken.A few moments later, what sounded like gunshots came, “Stay down!” and “Get down!” Guests, including journalists, Trump administration officials and Cabinet members, took cover.In the ensuing chaos, armed United States Secret Service agents immediately surrounded Donald Trump and escorted him off the stage through a back curtain, while attendees cowered in shock.The music suddenly stopped, and the ballroom of the Washington Hilton fell silent as agents moved across tables and floors to secure the area.In a post on Truth Social after the incident, Trump described it as “quite an evening” and praised the security agencies for doing a “fantastic job.” He further stated that the shooter had been captured and that “the show must go on.”The Washington Hilton, longtime host of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, is generally open to the public during the event, allowing regular guests to wander through the hotel as usual. Security efforts generally focus on the ballroom rather than the entire property, with limited screening for those not attending dinner.In past years, this arrangement has sometimes created opportunities for disruption in public areas such as lobbies, including protests where individuals unfurled banners or demonstrated before being removed by security.
