A gunman opened fire outside the ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, sending hundreds of guests diving under tables and triggering a mass evacuation at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump — attending the annual dinner for the first time as sitting president — was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents along with First Lady Melania Trump. Both are safe and back at the White House.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed in a statement: “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 first lady are safe along with all protectees.”
What Happened — Minute by Minute
Trump had been seated for roughly five minutes after his introduction when the shots rang out. Journalist Katie Pavlich, who was inside the room, reported hearing five shots — “POP POP POP POP” — before everyone immediately hit the floor. Secret Service instantly moved Trump out of the room as a search began.
The evacuation occurred just after 8:30 p.m. ET. Secret Service officers with guns drawn lined up across the podium area, yelling “clear” after multiple shots were heard.
The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds. Members of the National Guard took up position inside the building as people were allowed to leave but not re-enter.
The Shooter — What We Know
A Secret Service agent was injured when the gunman opened fire outside the ballroom. The agent was struck by a round but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK. A total of five to eight shots were fired. The gunman is alive but injured and was hospitalized.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, who was to receive an award at the dinner, said a Secret Service agent told her directly: “The shooter is confirmed dead.” However, other reports indicate the suspect is alive but injured and in hospital — details that may still be developing. Education Secretary Linda McMahon‘s security told CNN live on air that there was a shooter in the lobby.
Sources told Fox News the individual never made it inside the ballroom. He was taken into custody and removed from the scene.
Senior Officials Evacuated
Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump and members of the Cabinet were all rushed out. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and his wife Katie Miller were among those seen crouching beside tables before being led to safety.
House Speaker Mike Johnson was also evacuated from the event. He later posted: “Kelly and I were at the event tonight, and we’re thankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe. We’re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control.”
Trump’s Response
Trump posted on Truth Social: “Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately.”
He later added: “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely.” Trump confirmed that the First Lady, Vice President, and all Cabinet members are “in perfect condition” and said he would deliver a press conference from the White House briefing room shortly.
The Event — Cancelled and to Be Rescheduled
White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang took to the stage and said law enforcement had asked attendees to leave. Trump “wanted to continue despite the news, but has to follow security protocol,” she said.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been cancelled. The event is expected to be rescheduled. Trump said he hoped to reschedule within 30 days.
Jiang added: “I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service, because when there is an emergency, we run to the crisis, not away from it. And on a night when we are thinking about the freedoms and the First Amendment, we must also think about how fragile they are.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. President Trump was safely evacuated by Secret Service agents and is uninjured. He returned to the White House after the incident.
A: A gunman opened fire outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the dinner on April 25, 2026. Between five and eight shots were fired. Trump was immediately evacuated along with the First Lady, Vice President, and Cabinet members.
A: The gunman is alive but injured and was taken to hospital. The shooter never made it inside the ballroom and was taken into custody at the scene.
A: One Secret Service agent was struck by a round but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery. No other injuries have been confirmed.
A: Yes. WHCA President Weijia Jiang confirmed the event was cancelled and will be rescheduled. President Trump said he hoped to reschedule within 30 days.
