Saudi Arabia joined a chorus of international condemnation following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held on Saturday at the Washington Hilton. The event, attended by then-President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, was interrupted when gunfire was reported in the hotel lobby, prompting their evacuation.

In a statement released Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced the violence and affirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with the United States. The statement reiterated Saudi Arabia’s rejection of all forms of violence, emphasizing a commitment to peace and security.

Other world leaders quickly voiced their condemnation. The United Arab Emirates described the shooting as a “deplorable crime,” condemning violence, extremism, and terrorism in a Foreign Ministry statement that highlighted the importance of maintaining stability. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack via social media, stating that political hatred has no place in democracies and emphasizing the protection of free debate and information. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi declared that “violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on social media platform X for the strongest possible condemnation of any assault on democratic institutions and press freedom.

President Trump, speaking in a Sunday interview, reported that law enforcement stopped the suspected shooter before he could reach the ballroom where the dinner was taking place. Investigators have not officially named the suspect, but two law enforcement sources identified him as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California.

Preliminary findings from authorities who reviewed the gunman’s electronic devices and writings suggest that Allen targeted members of the administration attending the event. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials continuing to examine the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack.