A suspect is now in custody following a shooting and security breach at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night (Sunday morning in the Philippines, April 26, 2026), which forced the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Incident Details
The incident occurred when an individual, described by the President as a "would-be assassin," attempted to enter a security checkpoint at the media gala in Washington. According to authorities, the suspect was armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun. During the confrontation, the suspect fired at a Secret Service agent, hitting the officer in a protected area. The agent sustained no injuries due to his bulletproof vest.
Response and Evacuation
"The Secret Service and law enforcement acted quickly and bravely. The response was fantastic," Trump said at a White House press briefing after the incident. The chaos began when several loud bangs were heard inside the hotel, although the shooting did not occur in the dining room itself. The noise alarmed guests and prompted security details to immediately escort the President and First Lady to a safe location. All other government officials and Cabinet members in attendance were confirmed safe.
Investigation Ongoing
Trump shared images of the suspected gunman and provided details about the confrontation, announcing that the suspect had been apprehended. "This was a very dangerous situation," Trump said. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the suspect's motive and the extent of the security breach. While the President noted that the decision to proceed with the event would depend on guidance from authorities, the investigation remained active late into Saturday night.
