What eyewitnesses say actually happened

Accounts from inside the ballroom paint a picture of a fast-moving and highly chaotic situation, where multiple protective actions were taking place at once.

Security officials shouted ‘shots fired’ as the sound of gunfire echoed from outside the room, per First Post. Those closest to the exits reacted first, while others took cover under tables or remained frozen in confusion.

Vice President JD Vance was the first of the senior officials to be physically removed from the stage, pulled away quickly by agents as part of an immediate response to the perceived threat, per Fortune.