26 April 2026
What we know about the shootings at the White House correspondents dinner
Thank you for joining our coverage of last night’s shootings at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC.
As we wrap up our live reporting on the shooting, here’s a summary of the night’s events:
Where and when did the shooting start?
Gunshots were heard shortly after the White House correspondents’ dinner began at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
According to reports, a lone suspect, who has been taken into police custody, was staying at the hotel and led Secret Service agents into the lobby. Shots were fired and one agent was hospitalized.
Police said the suspect was not shot but was thrown to the ground before being taken to the hospital.
How did the Secret Service respond?
Several Secret Service agents were in the room with President Trump and 2,300 guests when the shots were fired.
They immediately sprang into action and removed Trump and other senior figures from the stage.
The Cabinet members present in the audience had their own security squad.
After hearing the gunshots, heavily armed agents quickly appeared and pointed their guns towards the room where the guests were hiding under the tables.
There was some criticism from attendees that security was lax, but the Secret Service defended the security measures, saying that its “layered security posture” had succeeded in stopping the armed suspect.
What did officers say about the suspect?
A 31-year-old California man was arrested by law enforcement, police said.
He reportedly had a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Police said they believe the man acted alone.
The alleged shooter had a LinkedIn profile that said he worked as a tutor and had a master’s degree. Hey, he was an amateur video game developer.
News agencies also reported that he had donated $25 (€21) to the 2024 presidential campaign of Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.
The suspect will be formally charged in court on Monday.
What did Trump say after the shooting?
A few hours later, he held a press conference at the White House where he said that the shooter was likely a “lone wolf” and that the incident was “quite traumatic.”
The President said he wanted to continue the dinner after the shooting, but the Secret Service told him he had to leave.
He also thanked law enforcement for their quick response in a post on Truth Social.
The President has said that the correspondents dinner will be held again within 30 days.