India, April 26 -- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called on 'everyone' to watch US President Donald Trump's speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner, claiming it would be "funny", "entertaining", and "there will be some shots fired tonight".

What initially appeared to be a figurative reference to Trump taking verbal jabs during his speech soon took on a far more unsettling meaning. Moments later, loud bangs believed to be gunshots rang out at the venue, triggering panic inside the hotel ballroom and prompting Secret Service agents to swiftly evacuate Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and several top cabinet officials from the event.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White H...