الوسم: shooting

  • Bank of America VP fatally stabbed in Times Square attack

    Bank of America VP fatally stabbed in Times Square attack

    Members of the NYPD stand guard at the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Times Square, New York City, on August 31, 2026. — Reuters

    A Vice President at Bank of America, Erin Piacenti, was fatally stabbed in Times Square on Monday.

    “We are devastated and deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague. She was a valued team member who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones,” the U.S. banking giant said in an email statement to Reuters.

    Piacenti, who was a vice president responsible for business selection and conflict management, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, according to a report by Bloomberg News, which was the first to break the story.

    New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced during a Monday press briefing that a woman armed with multiple knives attacked two people in Times Square before police used a taser and ultimately opened fire.

    NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the attacks appeared to be random and unprovoked. She explained that officers fired their weapons after tasers failed to stop the woman from moving toward them with knives in hand.

  • Multiple Injured in Sword Attack at Swedish High School

    Multiple Injured in Sword Attack at Swedish High School

    Several individuals sustained injuries Friday at a Swedish high school after an attacker armed with a sword entered the premises, according to a statement from Fagersta municipality in central Sweden.

    “Authorities received a report of ongoing deadly violence at a school in Fagersta. Law enforcement responded swiftly to the scene, and one person has been detained,” police confirmed.

    “Officers remain actively working at the scene using multiple resources. The public is advised to respect roadblocks and follow police instructions.”

    Swedish officials remain in close communication with law enforcement officials following the incident, Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told Reuters.

    “We’re aware of a serious incident in Fagersta. Police are on-site and investigating the situation thoroughly,” Strommer stated.

  • Two students killed in Philippine school shooting, gunman among casualties

    Two students killed in Philippine school shooting, gunman among casualties

    Two students lost their lives in a shooting at a high school in southern Philippines on Tuesday. One of the victims was the gunman himself. Authorities reported that the situation is now stabilized. This incident marks the second school shooting in the country within less than two months.

    The attack happened at a school affiliated with the privately operated Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City. According to an initial police report, the shooter carried both a pistol and a rifle onto the campus and opened fire inside a classroom filled with students.

    The shooter, a ninth-grade student, took his own life during the incident. The victim was a tenth-grade male student who was one year ahead of him.

    Ernald Andal, the university’s president, confirmed that the active shooting has ceased and there are no additional injuries or fatalities. “Our priority is the safety of all our students, and we sincerely regret these tragic events,” Andal stated.

    This incident follows a shooting in June at a public high school in Tacloban City, where three students were killed, and approximately 20 others were injured when two classmates fired shots during school hours.

    School shootings are exceedingly rare in the Philippines, thanks to strict gun control laws that include background checks and psychological assessments. Nonetheless, illegal firearms still circulate within the country.

    Footage from news channel ANC showed students and parents gathering outside the school gates, with armed police and military personnel present. Crime scene investigators were also seen arriving at the campus.

    The school is a five-story building situated on an 8-hectare (roughly 20-acre) site and includes grades from elementary through junior high, according to its website.

    This event comes less than ten days after a student carried out a shooting spree at a school on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, gaining widespread media attention.

  • Seven Dead, 15 Wounded in Thailand School Attack: Police

    Seven Dead, 15 Wounded in Thailand School Attack: Police

    Seven individuals lost their lives in a school shooting in Thailand on Friday, with the gunman among the deceased. A total of 15 people were injured, according to Thai police spokesperson Trairong Phiwphan. The authorities did not clarify whether the four fatalities included the gunman, who police confirmed took his own life. Nonthaburi Provincial Police Commander Lt. Col. Dechrapee Kongdee told Reuters that the suspected shooter had committed suicide. The attack occurred in the Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province, just north of Bangkok, and the suspect has been identified as a student.

    An 18-year-old student recounted to Reuters that at first, they thought the sounds were firecrackers or objects hitting surfaces. “I didn’t believe it was gunfire initially,” they said. “There were many shots: bang, bang, bang. Then it went silent, and then it started again.”

    Photos shared by emergency personnel show students evacuating Debsirin Nonthaburi School, located on Bangkok’s outskirts, as ambulances arrive. One image shows someone lying on a stretcher outside an ambulance, while another shows a medic providing assistance.

    In the 2025 school year, enrollment was approximately 3,100 students and 147 teachers, according to local district officials. Previously, in February, a teacher died and a student was wounded when a gunman opened fire at a school in Hat Yai, southern Thailand.

  • ICE Agent Kills Driver in Maine, Comes Six Days After Texas Shooting

    ICE Agent Kills Driver in Maine, Comes Six Days After Texas Shooting

    Police are working at the scene of a shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13, 2026.

    – Witnesses report that officers rammed a vehicle before extracting the wounded driver.
    – Since January 2025, ICE has reportedly killed at least seven individuals during enforcement actions.
    – The Department of Homeland Security states that an ICE officer fired in the incident, fearing for public safety.

    In Maine, ICE officers fatally shot a driver after attempts to stop his vehicle. DHS explained that the agent fired because the driver was attempting to escape, though they did not specify how the driver may have posed a threat. The incident happened around 7 a.m. in Biddeford, about 15 miles south of Portland. DHS mentioned that agents were conducting surveillance on the last known address of an individual with a final removal order, and that the suspect’s vehicle left the residence while ICE was pursuing.

    Law enforcement from Biddeford Police and the FBI responded to the scene. Immigration advocates identified the person shot as a 26-year-old Colombian man authorized to work in the U.S. and in possession of a Social Security number, though his identity has not been publicly disclosed.

    This incident adds to a surge in federal immigration enforcement, which has seen arrests in Maine increase to roughly 70 per day since early July, a significant rise from previous months. Since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025, enforcement-related fatalities have increased, with rights groups condemning the use of deadly force.

    Eyewitness Daniel Boucher, 71, described seeing a white SUV collide with a smaller white car. From his second-story window and about 20 feet away, he observed ICE officers emerge from the SUV, pull the driver from the vehicle, and noted the man had blood on his face. Boucher recalled hearing the victim say, “But I tried to stop,” before appearing to lose consciousness. Photos taken post-incident showed the windshield of the driver’s car with multiple bullet holes.

    Protests erupted later in the day. Around a dozen demonstrators gathered near a Biddeford park, chanting “ICE out!” and “Vote her out!” without any violence or arrests. About 200 people participated in a march through town, holding signs and candles, culminating in a rally at Mechanics Park where supporters expressed solidarity with migrants.

    The shooting comes just days after an ICE agent in Houston shot and killed a man, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, during a traffic stop. ICE claimed Salgado, a Mexican national living illegally in the U.S. for over 30 years, hit a law enforcement vehicle with his van and tried to run over an officer. Critics note that similar incidents often lack supporting evidence, with video footage frequently contradicting initial official statements.

  • Toronto Shooting: 2 Dead, Several Hurt, Attacker Still At Large

    Toronto Shooting: 2 Dead, Several Hurt, Attacker Still At Large

    Two individuals lost their lives Saturday, and at least six others were injured during a shooting at a salsa festival in Toronto, according to local authorities. A suspect remains at large.
    Recent police reports indicated multiple victims with gunshot wounds on the scene, with two confirmed dead. Details about the injuries’ severity have not been released.
    Authorities reported a significant police presence still ongoing as they continue their investigation.
    An AFP reporter at the scene described the incident as taking place during a salsa event on St. Clair Avenue.
    Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his devastation over the violence, stating on social media, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and left others wounded.”
    This incident follows a shooting in Montreal late last month, where two people, including a police officer, were killed by an attacker who was subsequently shot and killed by law enforcement.
    In February, Tumbler Ridge, a small western mining town, experienced a school shooting that resulted in eight deaths, including the shooter’s mother and half-brother, along with 27 injuries before the shooter took her own life.

  • Eight shot in New York, four children among victims: report

    Eight shot in New York, four children among victims: report

    At least eight individuals, including four children, sustained gunshot wounds during a shooting late on the U.S. Independence Day holiday in the Coney Island area of New York City, according to ABC News citing the NYPD.

    The police responded around 10:37 p.m. to reports of gunfire on West 31st Street in Brooklyn. The victims included two men, two women, and four children aged 14, 12, 7, and 6. All were taken to hospitals; seven are in stable condition, while a 21-year-old woman is in critical condition.

    The NYPD recovered a firearm at the scene but have not yet made any arrests. The department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

    Saturday marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

  • Montreal Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, Including Officer and Suspect

    Montreal Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, Including Officer and Suspect

    A midday shooting in Montreal resulted in three fatalities, including a police officer, a civilian, and the suspect, causing widespread shock in the Canadian city. The incident took place in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood home to kosher markets and eateries, but authorities have not provided details on the motive or whether it was a hate crime or terrorist attack. Reports suggest the shooter was linked to “incel” ideology—an extremist misogynistic belief system focused on involuntary celibacy—which previously played a role in Canada’s deadliest mass killing in 2018 in Toronto, where ten people died after being rammed by a vehicle.

    Montreal’s police chief, Fady Dagher, described the event as “a tragedy, a nightmare.” While Canada rarely sees daylight gunfights like this compared to neighboring U.S., such incidents do happen infrequently. Authorities responded swiftly after receiving a call about an active gunfire situation around 11:30 am in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood.

    Officers engaged in a shootout with the suspect, who was armed with a rifle and barricaded inside a building. Witness Frank Vogas, a 71-year-old buying paint nearby, recounted the chaos: “I saw police rushing in from all directions, guns drawn. They told everyone in the shop to stay down.” Another local, Danny Wilk, described witnessing the violence firsthand: “I was on the street near my home when I heard one shot, then several more. I ducked into a pizzeria and saw the shooter dressed in military-style clothing, seemingly ready to fire.” He also saw the police standing over the fallen officer, who was identified as a male, while a female officer was critically wounded but stable.

    Details about the civilian victim remain undisclosed. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed horror over the events, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

    Speculation immediately arose online that the attack might have been antisemitic, given the neighborhood’s Jewish institutions and the rising number of crimes targeting Jewish communities since Israel’s Gaza campaign commenced post-October 7, 2023. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said it was closely monitoring the situation, but police emphasized there was no confirmed motive at this time.

    Local rabbi Gezy Markowitz, noting the area’s numerous Jewish centers, urged caution: “It’s too early to determine if this was an attack on the Jewish community. Right now, it’s a police matter.” Quebec Premier Christine Frechette expressed deep shock and called for restraint to avoid unfounded rumors. Authorities initially locked down the area, but by Monday afternoon, they had begun clearing the scene and restoring traffic flow.

  • Teen Killed, 3 Wounded in Gunfire at US Graduation Ceremony

    Teen Killed, 3 Wounded in Gunfire at US Graduation Ceremony

    A shooting occurred in a parking lot at a high school in Northern California after a graduation ceremony, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old teenager and injuries to three others, ages 11, 20, and 25, according to police. The incident happened at Fairfield High School, approximately 50 miles northwest of San Francisco. Police responded to reports of gunfire around 7:15 p.m., confirming four individuals with gunshot wounds. Witnesses described hearing shots fired while photos were being taken outside, with one attendee noting people screaming and fleeing the scene as shots rang out. Authorities stated they are conducting an active investigation and have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat, though they did not release details about the suspect or the severity of the victims’ injuries.

  • Heavy Police Presence at White House Following Shots Fired Reports

    Heavy Police Presence at White House Following Shots Fired Reports

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            <img src="https://www.geo.tv/assets/uploads/updates/2026-05-24/665852_3957407_updates.jpg" alt="US Secret Service agents walk near the White House after gunshots were heard nearby, in Washington, DC, May 23, 2026. — Reuters" width="700" height="400" class=""/>
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                US Secret Service agents walk near the White House after gunfire was reported nearby, in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2026. — Reuters
            </figcaption>
        </figure>
    </div>
    
    <ul>
        <li><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Security forces surround the White House area.</b></li>
        <li><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Police block access points around the White House complex.</b></li>
        <li><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">FBI assists in the investigation near the White House perimeter.</span></b></li>
    </ul>
    <hr class="editorHr"/>
    <p>Police and security personnel flooded the White House vicinity Saturday evening after reports of gunfire, according to AFP journalists.</p>
    <p>At the time, President Donald Trump was at the White House working on negotiations with Iran.</p>
    <p>Authorities sealed off access to the White House and National Guard units prevented an AFP reporter from entering the area.</p>
    <p>Witnesses on the North Lawn stated via X (formerly Twitter) that they were told to run and seek shelter inside the White House press briefing room.</p>
    <p>The Secret Service confirmed on Saturday they were aware of gunfire reports on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW near the White House and were verifying details with on-ground personnel.</p>
    <p>FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the FBI was at the scene supporting the Secret Service.</p>
    <hr class="editorHr"/>
    <p><i>This is a developing story; updates will follow as more information becomes available.</i></p>


  • Suspect in Trump’s alleged assassination attempt pleads not guilty

    Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting, is seen in a courtroom sketch during a hearing after being charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2026. Allen, 31, from California, did not speak during the session as his attorney, Tezira Abe, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. The charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer, and firearms violations.

    Prosecutors claim Allen fired a shotgun at a U.S. Secret Service agent and rushed a security checkpoint in a failed attempt to attack Trump and other officials at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Allen supposedly traveled to D.C. by train, carrying a shotgun, pistol, and knives, and reserved a room at the Washington Hilton, where the event was held on April 25.

    During the brief court appearance, Allen wore an orange jumpsuit and was shackled at the waist. This marked his first appearance before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who will oversee the case moving forward. Last week, a different judge apologized to Allen for his treatment in a local Washington, D.C., jail, which included being placed on suicide watch and kept in solitary.

    A significant part of the upcoming legal battle involves Allen’s challenge to disqualify acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, citing their presence at the dinner and possible bias, as well as their status as potential targets for Allen. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm indicated that they may also seek to have the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington recused, due to Pirro’s friendship with Trump and her potential role as a victim.

    Prosecutors are expected to respond to the motion by May 22. Pirro previously stated in an interview with CNN that her ability to prosecute the case is unaffected by her presence at the dinner.

  • White House Lockdown Briefly Imposed After Secret Service Shooting

    The Secret Service confirmed on Monday that they responded to an officer-involved shooting in Washington, D.C., where one person was shot by law enforcement officers.

    “Personnel from the U.S. Secret Service are on the scene at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C., following an officer-involved shooting. One individual has been shot; their current condition is unknown,” the agency stated on X. The White House was briefly put under lockdown Monday afternoon.

    The Metropolitan Police Department also responded to the scene, assuring the public that the area is now secure. They advised people to avoid the area since roads will remain closed for several hours.

    This incident comes amid heightened alertness in the nation’s capital following a shooting at the recent White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, which resulted in an arrest of the suspect involved.

    This story is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

  • Washington Dinner Shooting Suspect Charged with Trump Assassination Attempt

    A man accused of shooting a U.S. Secret Service agent attempting to breach security at a Washington dinner attended by President Donald Trump is facing federal charges of attempting to assassinate the president, a court official announced Monday.

    Twenty-one-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California, also faces multiple firearms-related charges in a three-count complaint.

    Allen appeared in Washington federal court wearing a blue inmate jumpsuit, just two days after authorities disrupted an attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner—an annual formal event featuring journalists and politicians.

    “ He tried to assassinate President Donald J. Trump,” prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine stated during the hearing.

    Allen has yet to respond to the allegations. Sitting at the defense table flanked by U.S. marshals, he expressed willingness to answer questions honestly and mentioned holding a master’s degree in computer science.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Allen to remain detained as the case proceeds and scheduled a further detention hearing for Thursday.

    Allen left a manifesto with family members, in which he dubbed himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and detailed plans to target senior Trump administration officials present in the hotel ballroom. Officials suggest Trump himself may have been among his targets.

    White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the incident as the third major assassination attempt against Trump, following two such attempts in 2024. She compared the language in Allen’s manifesto to rhetoric from Trump’s political opponents.

    “Much of the suspect’s manifesto sounds indistinguishable from the words we hear daily from many critics,” Leavitt said. “The entire Democrat Party has portrayed Donald Trump as an existential threat to democracy, labeling him a fascist.”

    Prominent Democrats have condemned the shooting.

    Allen booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was held and traveled from California to D.C. by train, officials noted.

    The shooting caused chaos at the event, a significant fixture on Washington’s social scene. Attendees scrambled under tables and law enforcement quickly evacuated senior officials. Trump, who was scheduled to speak later that evening, was hurried off stage as gunshots rang out.

    The suspect reportedly fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a hotel checkpoint before being tackled and arrested. Video footage shared online by Trump showed the suspect running through a hallway outside the ballroom.

    Authorities said the suspect was subdued just inside a secure perimeter and described his capture as a law enforcement success. The Secret Service agent was hit but was protected by a tactical vest and was released from the hospital hours later.

    Allen was armed with a handgun, multiple knives, and the shotgun. He was also transported to a hospital for evaluation following the incident.

  • US Official Suggests Trump Was Likely Targeted at White House Dinner

    President Donald Trump and members of his administration were the primary targets of an armed suspect who opened fire on a security officer guarding the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday.

    The shooter fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton hotel. The attacker was quickly subdued and taken into custody. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were hurriedly evacuated from the event.

    “It appears that his intention was to target individuals associated with the administration, potentially including the president,” Blanche stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” mentioning the suspect’s likely train travels from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.

    The individual faces federal charges on Monday—assault of a federal officer, firearm discharge, and attempted murder of a federal officer. Blanche noted that there is no confirmed link to Iran at this time.

    Trump told late-night reporters at the White House that he believed he was the intended target. He added that the Secret Service officer was protected by his bulletproof vest and is reportedly in good condition. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the officer has been discharged from the hospital.

    Leaders worldwide condemned the attack and expressed relief that Trump and those present were unharmed, with many emphasizing that violence has no place in a democracy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the incident “an attack on our free and open societies,” reinforcing the global stance against political violence.

    The British embassy, which is preparing for King Charles’ visit to Washington scheduled for Monday, stated that discussions are underway regarding the potential impact of the incident on the visit.

    The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, approximately 31 years old from California, is believed to have been a guest at the hotel. Social media posts suggest he may have been a teacher in Torrance, near Los Angeles. Washington’s interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll reported that Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, though his motives remain unclear.

    Preliminary investigations indicate Allen may have acted independently, with many questioning how he managed to bring a shotgun into a venue hosting the annual dinner—a significant event attended by Trump’s cabinet and top officials amid tight security. The dinner itself is historically significant as the site of an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

    Footage from security cameras, shared by Trump on Truth Social, shows the suspect rushing through a security checkpoint, momentarily catching guards off-guard before being neutralized. No shots were exchanged with the gunman who crossed two checkpoints before being stopped.

    Trump commented afterward that the attacker came from about 50 yards away and was moving quickly. He reiterated that authorities view the individual as a “lone wolf.”

    The incident unfolded quickly, with video capturing Trump and his wife seated at a banquet table when hearing gunfire, prompting panic and chaos. Many attendees, dressed formally, dove under tables as security agents drew their weapons, some shielding cabinet members. Trump and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated from the stage, while others were led out individually by security detail.

    Most guests crouched for cover, and some chanted “USA! USA!” during the chaos. Trump remained behind the scenes for about an hour before leaving, expressing a desire to stay at the event despite the threat. This echoes his previous narrow escapes from violence, including an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, where he was wounded but survived.

    Two months after that incident, Secret Service agents thwarted another attempt when a man wielding a gun was spotted hiding in bushes at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison in February.

  • PM Shehbaz, World Leaders ‘Relieved’ as Trump Safely Escapes Washington Shooting

    President Asif Ali Zardari labeled the incident as a “heinous act of terrorism.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed that he was “deeply shocked” by what happened. The Japanese Prime Minister emphasized that violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world.

    Following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., world leaders showed relief that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other high-ranking officials are safe. Gunfire erupted near the event at the Washington Hilton hotel, leading security personnel to evacuate Trump, his wife, Vice President JD Vance, and other top officials. The suspect was detained shortly afterward.

    The individual used a shotgun at a Secret Service checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton before being subdued and taken into custody. It remains unclear if Trump was targeted, though he was quoted as believing he was. He has previously survived two assassination attempts since 2024, a period marked by increasing political polarization in the United States.

    On X, President Zardari’s office condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous act of terrorism,” and expressed relief that Trump and the First Lady were unharmed.

    PM Shehbaz conveyed his shock and relief, stating, “I am deeply shocked by the violent shooting at the Washington, D.C., White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Thankfully, President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe. My thoughts and prayers remain with him, wishing him ongoing safety and health.”

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also voiced reassurance, stressing that violence has no place in democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.

    “Glad to hear President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President are unharmed after the recent incident in Washington,” Modi posted on social media.

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the event terrifying and affirmed that violence must never be accepted under any circumstances.

    “I’m relieved President Trump is safe following the shooting. Violence is never acceptable anywhere in the world,” she stated.

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum echoed similar sentiments, expressing hope for Trump’s continued safety and emphasizing that violence is never the answer.

    “It’s a relief that President Trump and his wife are doing well after the attack. We send our respect. Violence should never be the solution,” she said.

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed relief knowing that all attendees are safe. “We commend the swift response of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies,” he noted.

  • What’s Known About the Gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

    A glamorous Saturday night in a Washington ballroom intended to celebrate the White House Correspondents’ Association turned chaotic after gunfire erupted. President Donald Trump was seated on stage at his first appearance at the event as president when loud bangs interrupted the festivities, prompting alarm among attendees.

    Footage from AFPTV, other news organizations, and AFP reporters on-site revealed a scene in disarray. Following the gunfire, urgent shouts of “Stay down!” and “Get down!” echoed across the room as numerous guests, including journalists, government officials, and members of Trump’s cabinet, quickly took cover.

    Amidst the turmoil, Trump was swiftly surrounded by Secret Service agents armed and ready, who hurried him off the stage and through a rear curtain as the crowd crouched in shock. The musical performance abruptly halted, and the attendees, dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos, quieted as agents moved through the room, securing the area of the Washington Hilton— the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan narrowly escaped an assassination attempt over four decades ago.

    As reports of gunfire spread, Mehmet Oz, who oversees the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Trump, was seen being evacuated by security personnel. Also among those hurried out was Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.

    Law enforcement quickly detained a person of interest after the incident, with authorities confirming that both the President and First Lady Melania Trump are safe. An official statement from the Secret Service indicated they are investigating the shooting near the main security checkpoint for the event, with one individual in custody. It remains uncertain whether the suspect fired the shots or if security responded with gunfire.

    By around 8:40 p.m. (0040 GMT), police were seen rushing through the streets surrounding the Hilton, clearing traffic and lifting barriers as a helicopter orbited overhead. A motorcade later departed the hotel heading toward the White House.

    Inside the evacuated ballroom, witnesses recounted hearing the chaos and seeing the Secret Service deploy to protect the president. Alexandra Ingersoll, a journalist for One America News, described crouching under a table, uncertain if the situation was under control. Guests disbursed into the Hilton lobby, where they embraced, made calls, and texted loved ones while officials issued further statements.

    Later, the Secret Service confirmed they are investigating a shooting incident near the main security screening point for the event. They assured the public that everyone in their protection, including the president, remains safe, and that one individual has been taken into custody. The details about whether anyone was wounded or if gunfire was exchanged were not immediately available.

  • Eightchildren killed in U.S. domestic violence shooting: police

    Eightchildren killed in U.S. domestic violence shooting: police

    Eight children lost their lives early Sunday morning in a shooting spree in Louisiana, which authorities believe was a domestic violence incident. The gunman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was shot and killed by police following a car chase. The incident occurred in Shreveport, located in the northwest part of the state.

    Police Corporal Chris Bordelon mentioned during a press conference that the investigation covers a large crime scene involving two residences, with a third residence also being searched. The victims ranged in age from just one year old to 14 years old, and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon added.

    Two additional individuals were hit by gunfire, but their current health statuses are unknown. The suspect carjacked a vehicle and led police on a high-speed chase before officers engaged and fatally shot him.

    “We believe he was the only person firing shots at these locations,” Bordelon stated, describing the incident as a domestic disturbance.

    The United States experiences frequent gun violence, with firearms widely accessible and thousands of deaths reported annually.

    “Today is a tragic day for Shreveport, and we mourn alongside the victims’ loved ones,” Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed during the press conference.