A suspected armed attacker triggered panic Saturday night outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., forcing the evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and senior officials after gunfire erupted near a security checkpoint.
The incident unfolded just after 8:30 p.m. near the main screening area outside the Washington Hilton, where the annual event was underway. Inside the ballroom, confusion spread quickly. Armed officers in tactical gear moved across tables, drawing weapons as they rushed toward the stage to secure the president and other dignitaries, including Vice President JD Vance.
Guests dropped to the floor or hid beneath tables as security teams cleared the room.
Authorities say the suspect, identified as a California resident, approached the magnetometer checkpoint “armed with many weapons” before being stopped by Secret Service agents. The individual was detained at the scene. Officials have not released further details about motive or identity.
President Trump later confirmed that one Secret Service agent was struck by a bullet, but the impact was absorbed by a protective vest. The agent did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
“I told him we love him and respect him and he’s a very proud guy,” Trump said after speaking with the agent.
In a social media post earlier in the evening, Trump praised the rapid response by law enforcement.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” he said.
The dinner—an annual gathering of journalists, politicians, and public figures—was halted as law enforcement ordered a full evacuation. Trump later confirmed the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately,” he said.
The night had begun as a high-profile return for Trump, marking his first attendance at the correspondents’ dinner as president. He was expected to deliver remarks before the disruption.
Earlier in the evening, Weijia Jiang addressed attendees alongside host Oz Pearlman before the sudden escalation.
Jiang initially attempted to continue the program but later instructed guests to leave as the situation became clearer.
“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,” she told the crowd.
“And on a night when we are thinking about the freedoms in the First Amendment, we must also think about how fragile they are. I saw all of you reporting, and that’s what we do,” Jiang added.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the shooting and assess potential security implications tied to the event.
