Trump Evacuated After Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Suspect Apprehended, No Injuries Reported

U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior leaders were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night after a shooting incident triggered a major security response, with authorities later confirming that a suspect had been apprehended and no injuries reported.

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The incident unfolded at the Washington Hilton hotel, where hundreds of journalists, officials and guests had gathered, when security personnel abruptly entered the ballroom and ordered attendees to take cover. According to on-ground accounts, guests “ducked under tables” as armed security rushed toward the stage where Trump was seated, with reports indicating that multiple shots — believed to be between five and eight — were heard during the disruption.

More footage of the evacuation pic.twitter.com/Hp7pD370bN https://t.co/MvLhDyFCro

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 26, 2026

Law enforcement officials said the shooting occurred outside the main ballroom area, though initial details remained unclear in the immediate aftermath. The U.S. Secret Service swiftly secured the venue, taking control of the building as police units, National Guard personnel and emergency responders converged on the scene, while surrounding streets were cordoned off and aerial surveillance deployed.

In a statement shortly after the incident, Trump said that a “shooter has been apprehended,” confirming that both he and Vice President JD Vance were uninjured. Authorities also confirmed that a person was in custody following what they described as a “shooting incident” near a security checkpoint linked to the event.

The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers were “at the scene and coordinating with federal law enforcement,” adding that further updates would be provided once details were confirmed, underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigation.

BREAKING: Police tell bystanders to stand back at the hotel where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is being held after shots were reportedly fired. pic.twitter.com/DpPK4wOYOV

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 26, 2026

Inside the venue, chaos briefly unfolded as attendees were held within the secured perimeter, with organisers later indicating that the event would be rescheduled even as authorities worked to stabilise the situation. Security protocols typically focus on the ballroom during the high-profile dinner, while other parts of the hotel remain accessible to the public, a factor that has previously posed logistical challenges for perimeter control.

The episode marks a significant security breach at one of Washington’s most prominent annual gatherings, bringing together political leadership, media figures and public personalities, and is expected to prompt a detailed review of event security arrangements and access control protocols in the coming days.