World leaders expressed shock after an armed man charged at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in a hotel in Washington, with many focusing on the message that violence has no place in a democracy.
The shooting suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was carrying a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives when he stormed the lobby of the hotel. He ran past security barricades but secret service agents were quick to run after, tackle and detain the perpetrator.
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were immediately rushed off of stage when shots were fired inside the Hilton hotel, where the dinner was taking place.
One officer was shot, but was protected by a bulletproof vest. Trump said he spoke with the officer and confirmed he is in good condition.
No place for violence in democracy, leaders say
"Violence has no place in politics, ever," European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, applauding the swift response from police and responders for ensuring the safety of the guests.
The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed relief "that everyone who attended, including President Trump, are safe".
"An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear. I wish the injured officer a swift recovery," Kallas added.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "full solidarity and sincere sympathy" to Trump and others present at the dinner, stating that "political hatred has no place in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the spaces of free debate and information".
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mirrored that sentiment: "We decide by majorities, not by the gun," he wrote on X. Merz said he was relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and everyone who had been present at the event are safe.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was "unacceptable" and extended his "full support" to the US President.
Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the incident, saying "In democracies, struggles are waged with ideas; there is no place for any form of violence".
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed relief that everyone was safe. "Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event," he wrote on X.
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US secret service for their "swift and decisive action".
"We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer," he added.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating talks between the US and Iran to end their war, wrote on X: "Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House correspondents’ association dinner in Washington."
Other leaders, including Mexcian President Claudia Sheinbaum, Hungary's outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the incident.
