World leaders react to Washington gala shooting

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he was "shocked" by a shooting at a Washington media gala, adding it was "a huge relief" that President Donald Trump and others were unharmed.

"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," Starmer said on X.

Starmer sent a message Sunday to Trump "in solidarity for the events that took place", senior minister Darren Jones told UK broadcasters during a round of interviews.

The shooting late Saturday at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association came less than 48 hours before King Charles III arrives in the US for a state visit.

He will visit Washington and New York during the four-day trip alongside Queen Camilla, which will see the royals have tea with Trump and first lady Melania and attend a state dinner.

Jones said security teams in Britain and the US were "working closely to ensure the security arrangements are put appropriately in place".

"As you would imagine, the government and the palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days," he told Sky News.

EU foreign policy chief slams 'political violence' after Trump shooting

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday that "political violence has no place in a democracy" following a shooting at a Washington media dinner attended by US President Donald Trump.

Kallas said she was "relieved" there were no casualties but added in a post on X: "Political violence has no place in a democracy. An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear."

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:

- Keir Starmer -
 

Britain's prime minister 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.

- Benjamin Netanyahu -
 

The Israeli prime minister said he and his wife Sara "were shocked by the attempted assassination" of Trump.

"We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong," Netanyahu wrote on X.

"We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action."

- Narendra Modi -
 

The prime minister of India 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.

- Mark Carney -
 

The Canadian prime minister 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.

- 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.

- Pedro Sanchez -
 

Spain's prime minister condemned what he called "the attack that took place tonight against President (Trump)."

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