At approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on April 25, 2026, a gunman opened fire near the main magnetometer‑screening area outside the Washington Hilton during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an event typically attended by the president, vice president, Cabinet members, members of Congress, and senior administration officials. The attack occurred as President Donald Trump was on stage, and the gathering was underway in the Hilton’s main ballroom.
Secret Service agents and other security personnel immediately rushed Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several Cabinet members off the stage and into a secure holding area inside the hotel. Video footage and eyewitness accounts show guests taking cover, ducking under tables, and agents forming protective perimeters as the ballroom was cleared. The dinner was abruptly halted, and the perimeter around the building was locked down by local law enforcement and federal agents.
One Secret Service agent was hit during the gunfire, but the bullet struck his protective vest, and he was reported to be in good condition. No additional major injuries have been reported at this time, though authorities continue to assess the scene and medical information may evolve. The suspect, described as a California resident, was taken into custody alive at the scene and is now in federal custody. Officials have not yet publicly released a motive or confirmed whether the shooter specifically targeted the president or the event, but the incident is being treated as an attempted attack on a presidential event.
The U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., have launched a coordinated investigation into the attack. Early reports indicate the suspect was armed with at least one firearm and that law‑enforcement personnel engaged him quickly, preventing what authorities say could have been a more severe outcome. Officials have emphasized that the emergency response at the Hilton was executed as planned, and the evacuations of high‑value targets were carried out without further harm.
In a brief statement after the incident, President Trump confirmed that he and his team were safe and said the White House Correspondents’ Dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days. He praised the “bravery” of the Secret Service and other security personnel for their rapid response. The White House Correspondents’ Association, which organizes the event, has not yet announced a new date or format for the rescheduled dinner.
This incident marks one of the most direct and visible security threats to occur at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in its history, and it has prompted renewed debate over the level of security at high‑profile Washington social events attended by the president and senior officials.
