Panic briefly gripped the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after a shooting triggered a swift security response, forcing President Donald Trump and other top US leaders to evacuate the venue in Washington.
Shots were reported as guests ducked for cover, though officials said Trump was uninjured and no casualties were immediately confirmed.
Secret Service personnel and other authorities rushed into the banquet hall as hundreds of guests took cover under tables. Shouts of “Out of the way, sir!” and calls to duck were heard, news agency AP reported.
Several people in the crowd said they heard what sounded like five to eight gunshots. The banquet hall, packed with hundreds of journalists, celebrities and national leaders awaiting Trump’s address, was evacuated. National Guard personnel were deployed inside as attendees were allowed to exit but barred from re-entering, while security outside the venue remained extremely tight.
Dignitaries seated at the head table included Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Several Cabinet secretaries were also present at the event.
Guests were eating a spring pea and burrata salad, and staff were getting ready to serve the next course when security officers entered the ballroom and shouted for everyone to get down.
The Hilton hotel, which has hosted the dinner for years, is usually open to regular guests during the event. Security is generally limited to the ballroom area, with little screening for people who are not attending the dinner.
The banquet hall, where hundreds of journalists, celebrities and national leaders were waiting for Trump’s speech, was evacuated immediately. National Guard members were positioned inside the building, and guests were allowed to leave but not return. Security outside the hotel was also very tight.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the suspect will be charged with two counts of “using a firearm during a crime of violence” and for “assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.”
He will be arraigned in court on Monday, she said.
She added that while only one officer was injured, “it is clear based upon what we know so far that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could” and was only stopped because the checkpoint outside the hotel worked.
The defendant will be arraigned on Monday.
It is clear that this individual was intent on doing as much harm as he could.
Thank God for our law enforcement who acted so quickly to prevent what could have been a horrific event. pic.twitter.com/jqrFxMhb5T
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) April 26, 2026
