US law enforcement said they arrested the lone gunman who attacked a lavish media gala attended by President Donald Trump – Copyright AFP Mandel NGAN
World leaders expressed shock after a gunman staged a lavish media gala in Washington on Saturday night attended by US President Donald Trump – and were relieved there were no casualties.
US law enforcement said the lone suspect, armed with “a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives”, has been arrested and will face charges on Monday in federal court.
Here’s how the leaders reacted:
– 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 freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Starmer wrote in X on Sunday.
– Benjamin Netanyahu –
The Israeli prime minister said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the assassination attempt on Trump.”
“We are relieved that the President and First Lady are safe and sound,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
“We send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the injured police officer and commend the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action.”
– Narendra Modi –
India’s prime minister said he was “relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and the Vice President are safe and unharmed.”
“My best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” Modi wrote on X.
– Mark Carney –
The Canadian prime minister said he was “relieved that the President, First Lady and all guests are safe”.
“Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shocked by this disturbing event,” Carney wrote in X.
– Claudia Sheinbaum –
The Mexican president wrote on X that “it’s good that President Trump and his wife are safe after recent events. We send them our respect.”
“Violence should never be the way,” Sheinbaum added.
– Pedro Sánchez –
Spain’s prime minister condemned what he called “the attack that took place tonight against the President (Trump).
“Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence and peace,” Sanchez wrote in X.
– Shehbaz Sharif –
The Pakistani prime minister wrote that he was “deeply shocked by the disturbing incident of firing”.
“Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady and others present are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him and I wish him continued safety and well-being,” Sharif wrote on X.
