WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump was uninjured and other top White House officials were evacuated from an annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association on Saturday night after an unspecified threat. There did not immediately appear to be any injuries, and one law enforcement official said a shooter had opened fire.
Authorities said the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated. It was not immediately clear what happened. The event was scrapped and will be rescheduled.
The FBI said the shooter is in custody and that its Washington field office is responding to the shooting.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he would give a statement at the White House tonight.
Compiling accurate and thorough information on a shooting takes time. Reporters are working to piece together the details from eyewitness accounts, authorities and other sources.
Here’s what happened on Saturday:
Secret Service quickly escorted Trump and VP Vance out of ballroom
Secret Service agents, including the heavily-armed counter assault team, swarmed the stage after the incident. Vice President JD Vance was removed from the room first, while agents initially covered Trump in place, before escorting him and first lady Melania Trump from the room.
Trump briefly stumbled on his way offstage before being assisted by his security detail.
He was held for some time in the secure presidential suite at the hotel as the president and organizers initially sought to resume the event -- hotel staff refolded napkins and refilled water glasses, and aides adjusted the teleprompter for the president -- before Trump was returned to the White House on the advice of the Secret Service.
Security video shows suspect running toward White House correspondents’ dinner
Security video appears to show suspect running towards White House correspondents’ dinner
Carney ‘relieved’ Trump safe
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is relieved the U.S. president, first lady and other guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.
In a post on X, Carney said political violence has no place in any democracy and that his thoughts are with those shaken by the incident.
I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 26, 2026
Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by…
Tammy Ibrahimpoor, National Digital Producer, CTVNews.ca
Washington Hilton also scene of Reagan shooting in 1981
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Hilton -- an event that prompted redesigns of the property that increased security and added a special presidential suite near the entrance where chief executives could be taken.
Trump was dispatched there briefly after the incident Saturday night.
The Associated Press
MS NOW opens doors for reimagined party after White House Correspondents’ dinner
The network notified guests to still come to its underground party in Dupont Circle to gather and have a bit to eat."
“While tonight’s event won’t be what we originally intended, we still think it is important to provide a space for friends and colleagues to be together,” the network said.
Its reporting teams were out covering the breaking news, the network said.
The Associated Press
Police chief says suspect’s motivations unclear
Carroll, the interim police chief, said that he could not say at this point what the shooter’s motivation was, and that it is too soon to know who the suspect had intended to target in the shooting.
The Associated Press
Suspect faces preliminary charges related to firearm possession, assault, Pirro says
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is being charged preliminarily with two charges related to using a firearm and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but that there will be many more charges filed “based on the information that we are learning in this very fluid situation.”
Pirro said the suspect would be arraigned on Monday in federal district court.
The Associated Press
Police say suspect was armed with multiple weapons
Interim Washington, D.C., police chief Jeffery Carroll said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives. He said investigators had no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved.
The Associated Press
Trump ends presser
Shortly after the president concluded his news conference, the White House called a “lid,” which means the press corps will not see him for the rest of the day.
The Associated Press
Trump commends Secret Service, says being president is a `dangerous profession’
Trump struck a somber tone as he addressed reporters at the White House, saying being president is “a dangerous profession” and that attempted violence against him is “part of the job.”
Trump said more details would be forthcoming about the shooter’s identity and motive, but said that the world was a violent place and, when it came to his own presidency, “When you’re impactful they go after you.”
The president commended the Secret Service and suggested that the shooter wasn’t close to breaching the ballroom where Trump was seated on stage at the time of the incident.
With most of the reporters dressed up for the dinner that was interrupted, Trump also noted: “I see so many tuxedos and beautiful dresses.”
The Associated Press
Trump says rescheduled event will be ‘safer’
The president, who had repeatedly said he wanted to continue the dinner until law enforcement said otherwise, insisted that the dinner would be rescheduled and would happen. He stressed that the event will be “better” and “we’ll make it safer.”
“I see so many tuxedos and beautiful dresses,” Trump said. “It was a little different evening than we thought. But we’re going to do it again.”
The Associated Press
Trump describes scene
As he described the sequence of events, Trump emphasized that the shooter still remained a far distance from the ballroom where thousands of people had gathered for the dinner.
“He hadn’t anywhere close to breached the doors of the ballroom,” the president said.
The Associated Press
Shooting suspect identified
The shooting suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told the AP.
The Associated Press
WHCD extensively studied by Secret Service for decades
The USSS has for years used the annual event to put agents through their paces because the agency has studied the venue has been extensively for decades.
The Associated Press
Trump: ‘I fought like hell to stay’
The president also reiterated that he had wanted to continue the dinner, saying, “I fought like hell to stay.” He said in an earlier social media post that law enforcement officials wanted the dinner to end.
The Associated Press
Trump describes moment shots rang out
Trump, describing what was going through his mind as the shots rang out, said he initially believed it was a tray being dropped, noting that the noise was “quite far away.” But the first lady, he said, was “very cognizant” that it was a shooting.
“I think she knew immediately what happened,” the president said, recalling that his wife told him, “that’s a bad noise.”
The president said the motivation of the shooter was unclear, but said that “he was a guy who looked pretty evil when he was down.”
The Associated Press
Trump calls for tougher security measures
As he began the press conference, Trump called for tougher security measures, saying that “today, we need levels of security that probably nobody has ever seen before.” He cited Saturday’s incident as a reason his ballroom, being constructed at the White House, is needed.
The Associated Press
Trump says suspect was armed with multiple weapons
Trump, during a White House press briefing, said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by the Secret Service. One officer was shot, but he was protected by a good bulletproof vest.
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.
Security footage posted by Trump shows a man sprinting through the metal detectors and past law enforcement who turn toward him with guns raised. Officers then swarm toward the man off-screen.
The Associated Press
Trump posts picture of alleged shooter
Congressional leaders who attended dinner react to shooting
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and his wife, Kelly, were at the event and grateful for the law enforcement and first responders “who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control.”
“Praying for our country tonight,” said Johnson, R-La., on social media.
Kelly and I were at the event tonight, and we’re thankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 26, 2026
We’re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control.
Praying for our country tonight.
“FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT,” said the House GOP on its account on the social platform X.
“House Republicans unite in praying for those who were in harm’s way,” it said.
House Republicans unite in praying for those who were in harm’s way during tonight’s White House Correspondent’s Dinner. We are grateful to @SecretService and all law enforcement agencies who have put their lives in danger to protect our democracy - and those who lead it.
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) April 26, 2026
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he was “thankful for the swift law enforcement action to protect everyone” at the dinner, as he also called for an end to violence.
“The violence and chaos in America must end,” said Jeffries, D-N.Y.
Thankful for the swift law enforcement action to protect everyone from gunfire at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) April 26, 2026
Praying for the safety of those who may remain in harm’s way.
The violence and chaos in America must end.
The Associated Press
Shooter in custody, FBI says
The FBI said the shooter is in custody and that its Washington field office is responding to the shooting.
The Associated Press
Officer shot in bullet-resistant vest at correspondents’ dinner but is expected to be OK, law enforcement official says
DC police say officers are at the scene
The city’s Metropolitan Police Department posted a social message that said its officers are at the scene and coordinating with federal law enforcement. “We will provide updated information once confirmed,” the message said.
The Associated Press
Trump to give statement at White House after shooting incident at correspondents’ dinner
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he would give a press conference from the White House press briefing room, shortly after a shooting incident at a gala dinner in Washington.The press conference is set to take place shortly after 10 p.m. (0200 GMT), Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding: “The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition.”
President Trump will deliver a statement in the White House Briefing Room.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 26, 2026
The Associated Press
White House correspondents’ association president says everyone safe after shooting incident, event will be rescheduled
Weijia Jiang, the senior White House correspondent at CBS News and president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, addressed the crowded room of journalists after the president had left.
She said the president would be holding a press briefing at the White House soon and that he insisted the dinner be rescheduled within the next 30 days. Jiang also said the president had wanted to continue with the event but had to follow security protocols.
Jiang, who had been sitting on the dais next to Trump when the incident unfolded, also emphasized the public service nature of journalism, saying that “when there is an emergency, we run to the crisis, not away from it.”
“On a night when we are thinking about the freedoms in the First Amendment, we must also think about how fragile they are,” she said. “Thank God everybody is safe and thank you for coming together tonight. We’ll do this again.”
The Associated Press
The event was getting underway when armed security rushed in
Attendees were eating a spring pea and burrata salad, and waiters had begun preparing to bring out the next course when a security detail appeared on the ballroom floor and yelled for everyone to get down. Journalists in gowns and tuxedos ducked near tables as wine splattered onto white tablecloths and glasses clinked in the hurry to seek safety.
Armed security burst through the doors of the ballroom and raced toward the dais where Trump sat as attendees ducked or crouched under tables. At one point, someone in the room shouted, “USA!”
The Associated Press
Trump says the shooter has been apprehended
Trump said that a “shooter has been apprehended” in a post to Truth Social about 30 minutes following a security incident at the White House correspondents’ dinner.
Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance were uninjured in the incident.
The Associated Press
Most WHCD attendees are closed inside the ballroom and cannot leave
Dinner organizers said there will be an “announcement shortly, we will be resuming shortly” from the stage. Most attendees are closed inside the ballroom and can’t leave.
A block from the White House, party-goers headed to the Renwick Museum were instead gathered at police tape as the streets and sidewalks were blocked off. Police cars tore up and down the block, sirens blaring. A helicopter buzzed overhead.
The Associated Press
Washington Hilton hotel commonly stays open to public, while security is focused on ballroom
Generally, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has taken place for years, remains open to regular guests during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom and rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself. In past years, that has created openings for disruptions in the lobby and other public spaces, including protests in which security moved to remove guests who unfurled banners or staged demonstrations.
The Associated Press
Some in the crowd reported hearing what they believed to be 5 to 8 shots fired
The banquet hall — where hundreds of prominent journalists, celebrities and national leaders were awaiting Trump’s speech — was immediately evacuated. Members of the National Guard took up position inside the building as people were allowed to leave but not re-enter. Security outside was also extremely tight.
It was not immediately clear what happened. A law enforcement official confirmed there was a shooter but no further details were immediately available.
The Associated Press
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro says Secret Service in charge of building and DC mayor in route
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro posted a short video from the hotel after the incident, saying, “I have been taken out of the ballroom after the sound of the shots fired. The Secret Service is now in charge of this building, this hotel. I just spoke to Mayor Muriel Bowser. She is on her way and (Police) Chief Jeffery Carroll is on his way. He will be in charge as soon as he gets here.”
The Associated Press
