WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump posted "shooter has been apprehended" on Truth Social about 30 minutes after a security incident disrupted the annual White House correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.
AP also reported that a person is in custody after 'shooting incident' near security checkpoint at correspondents' dinner, authorities say.
Both Trump and US Vice President JD Vance were reported uninjured, and there did not immediately appear to be any other injuries, although one law enforcement official said a shooter opened fire.
The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall as guests ducked under tables.
"Out of the way, sir!" someone yelled, while others shouted for people to duck.
Dinner organisers said there would be an announcement from the stage and that the event would resume shortly, but most attendees remained inside the ballroom and could not leave.
Members of the National Guard took up positions inside the building as people were allowed to leave but not re-enter. Security outside was also extremely tight.
A block from the White House, party-goers headed to the Renwick Museum instead gathered behind police tape as streets and sidewalks were blocked off.
Police cars sped through the area with sirens blaring, and a helicopter hovered overhead.
The Hilton, where the dinner has been held for years, typically remains open to regular guests during the event.
Screening has usually been focused on the ballroom rather than the hotel at large.
In past years, that has created openings for disruptions in the lobby and other public spaces, including protests in which security moved to remove guests who unfurled banners or staged demonstrations.
The banquet hall, where hundreds of journalists, celebrities and national leaders were awaiting Trump's speech, was evacuated. It was not immediately clear what prompted the incident.
A law enforcement official confirmed there was a shooter, but no further details were immediately available.
US attorney Jeanine Pirro posted a short video from the hotel after the incident, saying she was taken out of the ballroom after hearing shots fired.
"The Secret Service is now in charge of this building, this hotel. I just spoke to Mayor Muriel Bowser. She is on her way, and (Police) Chief Jeffery Carroll is on his way. He will be in charge as soon as he gets here," she said. - AP
