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Trump was escorted from the stage by Secret Service agents after loud bangs were heard inside the Washington Hilton ballroom, according to pool reports from the event.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was joined by FBI Director Kash Patel and Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. They confirmed the suspected shooter was in custody, was from California and used a long gun.

U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., said in a video posted after the incident that he was inside the ballroom when the disturbance began.

“We were just evacuated,” Hamadeh said in a video posted to X. “There was gunshots right outside the hall. People were obviously underneath the tables.”

Hamadeh said he attended the dinner with Reps. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., and Andy Ogles, R-Tenn.

He said they were evacuated along with Cabinet officials and credited his security with helping escort the three lawmakers to safety.

“That was pretty jarring,” Hamadeh said.

Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake criticized security at the event in a post on X, saying she was not asked to show photo identification when entering the dinner.

“I can’t believe how lax the security was at the White House correspondents dinner tonight,” Lake wrote.

“Upon entering nobody asked to visibly inspect my ticket nor asked for my photo identification," Lake added.

Lake, now a senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, said what “sounded like gunfire erupted” and accused members of the media of contributing to political division.

Erika Kirk was also rushed out of the ballroom, visibly shaken and in tears, according to media reports and videos circulating on social media.

Kirk’s husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was killed in a previous shooting. Kirk and her organization Turning Point USA are based in Phoenix.

Most of Arizona's U.S. congressional delegation, along with state leaders, took to social media to react to the shooting.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., posted video of the moment President Trump was rushed off stage and described the scene as “terrifying.”

“Praying for the safety of President Trump and everyone attending the WHCD,” Biggs, who is now running for Arizona governor, wrote.

In a later statement, Biggs said he and his wife, Cindy, were “relieved to hear initial reports that attendees at the WHCD are safe,” but called the incident “deeply concerning and frustrating.”

“We’re grateful for the law enforcement officials who took quick action to protect the lives of everyone attending as we continue praying for these outrageous acts of violence to stop,” Biggs wrote.

In a third post, Biggs said the incident was “another reminder that evil exists."

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said in a post that he was "thankful that the President and others at the correspondents dinner are safe, and for the quick response from law enforcement."

Sen. Ruben Gallego also thanked security and law enforcement and said violence “can never be tolerated.”Tonight is supposed to be about celebrating free speech — a foundational American value," the Arizona Democrat wrote.

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said in a post he was praying for all in attendance at the dinner and called the incident "dangerous and harrowing."

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called the incident “horrifying” in a post on X.

"Violence has no place in our politics. I hope President Trump and all others in attendance are safe," Hobbs, a Democrat, said.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes echoed that sentiment.

“I am glad that everyone at the WHCD is safe and for law enforcement’s fast response,” Fontes, a Democrat, said.

U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., said he was relieved the president and first lady were safe.

“In light of tonight’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, I’m deeply thankful for the swift response from law enforcement," Gosar wrote.

U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., said he was grateful that the president, vice president and others were unharmed.

“Tonight we pray for our entire country,” Ciscomani wrote.

Gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep.David Schweikert, R-Ariz., said on X that President Donald Trump and others at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner were safe and thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement.