Trump rushed from White House correspondents' dinner after suspected gunshots heard
What it was like in the ballroompublished at 06:24 BST06:24 BSTGary O’DonoghueChief North America Correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesI had just put my knife and fork down, and almost didn't notice the booming sounds coming from somewhere in front of me in the direction of the main entrance to the ballroom at the Washington Hilton.I did a kind of audio double take.Within moments, I thought – that is the low thudding sound that semi-automatic weapons make.As someone who is blind I focus on the sounds, and I heard the shattering of glass.Then I felt the head of my colleague, Daniel, who I had just been speaking to, brush past and I realised he was diving for the floor.So I followed him.I was on my knees, under the table cloth, almost certain that here I was, another Saturday night, another presidential event, and in the midst of yet another shooting.I was there in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024 when the president came within inches of losing his life.The moments after that were filled with screaming and running people.This time was different as within seconds, we were under the table.Another colleague told me how, as the shots rang out, he saw dozens of people running into the ballroom from the corridor outside.Read more of Gary O'Donoughe's piece here.
