An eyewitness account from a Cypriot correspondent has shed light on the moments of panic during the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC.
Journalist Michalis Ignatiou said that gunshots were heard inside the hall, though attendees initially struggled to identify the sound.
“We heard shots in the room, but we did not realise they were gunfire,” he said.
According to Ignatiou, several Secret Service agents entered the room moments later and rushed towards Donald Trump, shouting for everyone to get under the tables.
“Their faces turned pale”
“When they pushed us under the tables, I saw their faces - they had gone pale,” he said, describing the reaction of the agents tasked with protecting the president.
At the same time, demonstrators had gathered outside the Washington Hilton, where the annual event was taking place, chanting slogans in support of Iran and Palestine.
“When we passed by, they were chanting but were very polite,” he noted. “When we went inside, we were told clashes had started between protesters and police.”
He added that questions remain about how the gunman managed to enter the hotel, suggesting the possibility that a room had been booked in advance.
Moments of fear
Scenes of fear unfolded during the high-profile dinner after an armed individual entered the hotel, opened fire and was later arrested by US Secret Service agents.
The incident caused alarm among guests and prompted an immediate security response, with attendees taking cover as officers moved to secure the venue.