Scenes of tension and panic unfolded Saturday night at the White House correspondents’ quarters when a gunman opened fire, violently interrupting one of Washington’s most prominent political-journalistic events.
He and members of his government were hurriedly removed from the site under draconian security measures, while he was immobilized a few minutes later by the security forces. Here is the minute by minute of the attack and the first developments.
Here is the timeline of the incident and the immediate developments:
At approximately 8:35 p.m. EST (00:35 GMT Sunday), dinner guests at the Washington Hilton hotel were forced to take cover when gunshots rang out, as captured by video. Moments later, Secret Service agents rushed to Trump and escorted him out of the room along with members of his administration.
A lone gunman attempted to force his way through a Secret Service checkpoint in the lobby, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Acting Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll later told reporters.
armed with a carbine, a pistol and several knives, according to Carroll. As he passed the point, members of the Secret Service stopped him.
A Secret Service agent was injured and taken to a local hospital, the mayor said, adding that the suspect was also taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. “We know there was an exchange of fire with the shooter … However, the suspect was not hit by any bullets,” Carroll said. “The security forces immobilized him by throwing him to the ground and handcuffed him.”
At approximately 9:17 p.m. (01:17 GMT), Trump made his first remarks after the shootings, saying authorities “acted quickly and bravely.” In a post on Truth Social, he said that “the perpetrator has been arrested” and initially suggested that the event should go ahead.
About 20 minutes later, authorities asked him and the others to leave the area, which he complied with. He said the event would be rescheduled “within 30 days.”
Around 10:30 p.m. (02:30 GMT), Trump addressed the media at a press conference at the White House, accompanied by the FBI director and acting attorney general. According to the first information, the attacker seems to have acted alone.
At approximately 11:13 p.m. (03:13 GMT), District of Columbia District Attorney Janine Piro said the suspect was charged with using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and assaulting a federal official with a dangerous weapon.
