US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were swiftly escorted out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after gunshots were reported during the event
on Saturday night.
Videos showed Trump and the first lady bending down behind the dais before being evacuated by Secret Service officers.
After being rushed from the event, the US President informed that the a “shooter had been apprehended.”
What Secret Service Has To Say?
The United States Secret Service said it is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department.
In an official statement, authorities confirmed that the president, the first lady and all protectees are safe, while one individual has been taken into custody. The condition of those involved remains unclear, with law enforcement agencies continuing to assess the situation.
“The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi posted on X.
We will provide updates as they become available and confirm information. Our teams are on the ground assessing the situation and investigating. All of our protectees are safe. pic.twitter.com/BYl6sR5WVU
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 26, 2026
The Secret Service further informed that the shooting was at ‘screening area’ outside Trump dinner venue.
What We Know About The Shooter?
After a shooting incident during White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night, Trump confirmed that the shooter had been apprehended.
According to the reports, the suspect has been identified as a 30-year-old California man.
A Secret Service agent was also shot in the protective vest during the firing outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The agent is expected to be fine, Fox News reported.
The Hilton hotel, a long-time venue for the dinner, typically remains open to regular guests during the event, with security largely confined to the ballroom and limited screening for those not attending.
The banquet hall, where hundreds of journalists, celebrities and national leaders had gathered ahead of Trump’s speech, was evacuated immediately. National Guard personnel were deployed inside the building, and guests were allowed to exit but not re-enter, while security outside the hotel was significantly tightened.
‘Let The Show Go On’
After the shooting threat disrupted the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump praised law enforcement and security service saying that they acted “quietly and bravely”.
He further informed that he will be giving a press conference shortly from the White House Press Briefing Room.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Quite an evening in DC Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”
