World leaders react with shock after Washington gala shooting

World leaders expressed shock after a shooter charged a glitzy media gala in Washington on Saturday night attended by US President Donald Trump — and relief that there were no casualties.

US law enforcement said the sole suspect, armed with "a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives," has been detained and will face charges Monday in federal court.

Here is how leaders reacted:

British PM Keir Starmer

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington overnight." "Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," Starmer wrote on X on Sunday.

French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was "unacceptable." "Violence has no place in a democracy," he said on X. "I extend my full support to Donald Trump."

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "full solidarity and sincere sympathy" to Trump and the others present at the event.

"Political hatred has no place in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the spaces of free debate and information," she said.

Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif wrote he was "deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting 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," Shahbaz wrote on X.

Indian PM Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed."

"I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi wrote on X.

Canadian PM Mark Carney

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe."

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

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum

The Mexican president wrote on X that "it is good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events. We send them our respect." "Violence must never be the way," Sheinbaum added.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban

Hungary's outgoing prime minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, said: "There's no place for violence in politics".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the incident, saying: "In democracies, struggles are waged with ideas; there is no place for any form of violence".

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen

The EU chief said on X: "Violence has no place in politics, ever" and lauded "the swift action of the police and responders for ensuring the safety of the guests."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed the message that "violence has no place in a democracy", writing on X: "We decide by majorities, not by the gun." He said he was "relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and all those present are safe."

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took to X, saying she was relieved that the US President was "safe after the terrifying gunshots," adding that, "violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world."

Agence France-Presse