Washington/Berlin, 26 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Leaders from around the world expressed shock and relief on Sunday after a suspected attacker was taken into custody after shots were fired at a press gala dinner attended by US President Donald Trump in Washington.

Gunfire rang out while the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner was taking place at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening, leading security forces to swiftly evacuate Trump, his wife and other senior officials from the ballroom were the event was being held.

According to initial findings, a heavily armed man raced past security at around 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday) and fired several shots outside the ballroom, hitting one officer before being subdued by security forces.

World leaders have taken to X to react to the news that no officials or journalists were harmed, with the Secret Service officer saved by their bullet-proof vest.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined fellow leaders in condemning the shooting, expressing relief that the president, First Lady Melania Trump and all others present at the event were safe.

"Violence has no place in a democracy. We decide by majorities, not by the gun," Merz wrote.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also denounced the violence, saying it was "a huge relief" that none of those in attendance were harmed.

"I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight," he wrote. "Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms."

French President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as "unacceptable," while European Commission President von der Leyen said that "violence has no place in politics, ever."

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas echoed that sentiment. "An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear," she wrote, wishing the Secret Service officer "a swift recovery."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of the sharpest critics in Europe of the US-Israeli war against Iran, also condemned the attack.

"Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence and peace," he wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, a close ally of Trump, said he and his wife were "shocked by the attempted assassination" of Trump.

"We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong," he wrote, commending the US Secret Service for a "swift and decisive" response.

Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, another close ally of Trump, said he was "troubled" by the news of the shooting, adding: "There's no place for violence in politics!"

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was among the first to react to the dramatic events in the US capital, also expressed relief that everyone was safe.

"Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event," he wrote.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum also took to X to send her respects. "Violence must never be the answer," she wrote.