What it was like in the room as shots rang out at correspondents' dinner

I had just put my knife and fork down, and almost didn't notice the booming sounds coming from somewhere in front of me in the direction of the main entrance to the ballroom at the Washington Hilton. Within moments, I thought – that is the low thudding sound that semi-automatic weapons make. As someone who is blind I focus on the sounds, and I hear...

I had just put my knife and fork down, and almost didn't notice the booming sounds coming from somewhere in front of me in the direction of the main entrance to the ballroom at the Washington Hilton.

Within moments, I thought – that is the low thudding sound that semi-automatic weapons make.

As someone who is blind I focus on the sounds, and I heard the shattering of glass.

Then I felt the head of my colleague, Daniel, who I had just been speaking to, brush past and I realised he was diving for the floor.