A dramatic gunfire scare at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner late Saturday sent shockwaves through Washington’s political and media circles, forcing the evacuation of US President Donald Trump, top officials and hundreds of guests from the venue.The incident unfolded at Washington Hilton, where nearly 2,500 attendees had gathered, moments before the President’s address. According to officials, a man attempted to breach a security checkpoint near the ballroom and opened fire, triggering panic inside and outside the hall.Hours after the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed relief over the safety of the US leadership, stating that “violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned”, while extending his wishes for their continued safety and well-being.Witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunshots rang out, with guests diving under tables and rushing for exits while agents of the United States Secret Service moved swiftly to contain the threat. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and several Cabinet members were escorted out under heavy security, with authorities confirming all dignitaries were unharmed.One Secret Service agent was struck during the exchange, but a bulletproof vest prevented serious injury. He was treated and is expected to recover.The gunman was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California, who is believed to have acted alone. Investigators said he was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives, underscoring the seriousness of the breach despite tight security arrangements. He was subdued within minutes and is now in custody as federal agencies probe his background and possible motives.In remarks after the incident, Trump praised security personnel for their swift response, saying their action likely prevented a far more serious tragedy. He described the attacker as a “very sick person” and flagged concerns about the vulnerability of external venues hosting high-profile events.In a post on Truth Social, Trump linked the episode to his long-standing demand for a high-security ballroom within the White House complex. He argued that such an incident “would never have happened” had the “militarily secure” ballroom — currently under construction — been operational, emphasising that it would be located within the grounds of the White House and equipped with the highest level of security. He also criticised ongoing legal challenges to the project, calling for them to be dropped immediately and asserting that construction was ahead of schedule.The event was immediately cancelled as law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, secured and searched the hotel premises. Officials are examining how the suspect may have accessed a relatively less secure section of the venue before reaching the checkpoint.The incident has renewed concerns over the vulnerability of large political gatherings, even those protected by layered security. While no fatalities were reported, several attendees described the experience as deeply unsettling, prompting calls for tighter coordination and enhanced protective measures at high-profile public events in the US.