Washington: President Donald Trump was uninjured, and other top White House officials were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night after an unspecified threat. There did not immediately appear to be any injuries, and one law enforcement official said a shooter had opened fire.

Authorities said the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated. It was not immediately clear what happened. The event was scrapped and will be rescheduled.

The FBI said the shooter is in custody and that its Washington Field Office is responding to the shooting.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he would give a statement at the White House later that night.

Trump calls for tougher security measures

As he began a news conference, Trump called for tougher security measures, saying that “today, we need levels of security that probably nobody has ever seen before.”

He cited Saturday’s incident as a reason a ballroom currently being constructed at the White House is needed.

During a White House press briefing, Trump said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by the Secret Service. One officer was shot but was protected by a bulletproof vest.

“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.

Security footage posted by Trump shows a man sprinting through metal detectors and past law enforcement officers, who turn toward him with guns raised. Officers then swarm toward the man off-screen.

Correspondents, along with Trump, arrived at the White House briefing room for a news conference following the shooting incident at the annual correspondents’ dinner.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and his wife, Kelly, were at the event and were grateful for law enforcement officers and first responders “who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control.”

“Praying for our country tonight,” said Johnson, R-La., on social media.

“FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT,” said the House GOP on its account on the social platform X.

“House Republicans unite in praying for those who were in harm’s way,” the post said.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he was “thankful for the swift law enforcement action to protect everyone” at the dinner and called for an end to violence.

“The violence and chaos in America must end,” said Jeffries, D-N.Y.