Germany's Merz joins world leaders in condemning Washington shooting

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has joined fellow world leaders in condemning the shooting at a Washington press dinner attended by US President Donald Trump.

"Violence has no place in a democracy. We decide by majorities, not by the gun," Merz wrote on X on Sunday.

"I condemn the attempted attack in Washington and am relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and all those present are safe."

Shots rang out while the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner was taking place at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening, leading security forces to swiftly evacuate Trump, his wife and other senior officials from the ballroom.

World leaders including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have taken to X to react to the news that no officials or journalists were harmed, with a Secret Service officer who was hit by a shot saved by their bullet-proof vest.