World leaders expressed shock after a shooter charged a glitzy media gala in Washington on Saturday night attended by US President Donald Trump — and relief that there were no casualties.
US law enforcement said the sole suspect, armed with “a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives,” has been detained and will face charges Monday in federal court.
Here is how leaders reacted:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, saying violence has no place in democracies.
He expressed relief that no one was injured, particularly US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Erdogan also extended wishes for a swift recovery to Trump, his family and the American people.
Keir Starmer
Britain’s prime minister said he was “shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.”
“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Starmer wrote on X on Sunday.
Shehbaz Sharif
The Pakistani prime minister wrote he was “deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident.”
“Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being,” Sharif wrote on X.
Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was “unacceptable”.
“Violence has no place in a democracy,” he said on X. “I extend my full support to Donald Trump.”
Narendra Modi
The prime minister of India said he was “relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed.”