World leaders express support after Washington DC shooting

World leaders reacted on Sunday with shock and support for U.S. President Donald Trump after a man armed with multiple weapons charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday before being apprehended by U.S. Secret Service agents.

Trump, first lady Melania, and members of Trump’s Cabinet were evacuated from the event. One officer was shot, but he was “saved by the fact that he was wearing obviously a very good bulletproof vest,” Trump told reporters during a press conference in the White House briefing room following the incident.

The suspected shooter was identified later Saturday as Cole Allen of Torrance, California. He is being held by authorities as they investigate the shooting.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked” by the scenes at the dinner.

“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” said in a post on X.

Starmer has faced repeated criticism by Trump for not being more supportive of the U.S. and Israeli-led war against Iran.

King Charles III of the U.K. is “being kept fully informed of developments” in the U.S., according to media reports citing a statement from Buckingham Palace. The monarch is due to visit Trump in the U.S. on Monday.

“A number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with U.S. colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the visit,” the BBC quoted the palace as saying.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in remarks at the start of a government meeting, said: “There is no place for violence, not against political leaders and not against anyone. This includes not only the United States; it includes, first and foremost, the State of Israel, from within.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, whose country has been under attack as Israeli forces pursue Iran-backed Hezbollah forces, added to the condemnation of the shooting.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran, also said he was shocked by the incident.

“Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being,” Sharif said in a post on X.

The U.S.’s other allies in the Middle East also voiced their support for Trump.

The United Arab Emirates, which has suffered repeated retaliatory strikes by Iran, expressed its “strong condemnation of such criminal acts and its unwavering rejection of all forms of violence, extremism…