According to multiple media reports, a shooting took place in the hotel lobby of the Washington Hilton during the annual correspondents' dinner. President Donald Trump was in attendance and is safe, the reports said. Guests were evacuated or hid under tables and chairs as security responded. No one was injured in the incident, and a suspect was arrested, according to multiple reports.
Several world leaders condemned the shooting. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said political violence has no place in democracy. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said there is an unprecedented stream of threats against President Trump and other officials. According to Aftonbladet, Nancy Pelosi described it as a great relief that the president, the first lady, and all other attendees are safe after a frightening act of violence inside the venue. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised security personnel and law enforcement for their quick response. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the shooting, stating violence has no place in a democracy. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the shooting 'completely terrible' and said it could have had terrible consequences. Former U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the shooting, saying it is our duty to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy.
It is a great relief that the president, the first lady, and all other attendees are safe after a frightening act of violence inside the venue.
Eyewitness accounts described the chaos. According to Aftonbladet, Weijia Jiang, CBS News correspondent and dinner chair, said no one should have to feel that fear. Swedish journalists were present at the dinner, including SVT's Sofia Yohannes and SR's Ginna Lindberg. According to Svenska Dagbladet, Ginna Lindberg described throwing themselves under the tables. There are reports that the shooter was targeting individuals in the administration, though the motive remains unknown. It is unclear how the suspect gained access to the hotel lobby with a weapon, and what specific charges the suspect will face.
No one should have to feel that way. No one should have to be afraid to be in a public place.
It is completely terrible. You think of those who were in the room, of the president of course, but also of all the others who were there at this very, very large event. It could have had completely terrible consequences.
We know nothing about the underlying causes, but that matters less because it is equally terrible under all circumstances. This is something that must not happen. We are glad that no one was injured, it could have gone very badly.
We threw ourselves under the tables.