Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were urgently evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night after an armed man opened fire on Secret Service personnel in a dramatic security breach at the Washington Hilton, officials confirmed.
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According to law enforcement sources, the suspect allegedly fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent stationed at a security checkpoint inside the hotel before being swiftly tackled and arrested. The attacker was later identified as a California resident, reportedly in his early 30s, with preliminary reports suggesting he may have been a guest at the venue.
The incident unfolded around 8:35 p.m. local time, sending panic through the high-profile black-tie event attended by approximately 2,600 guests, including senior members of the U.S. administration, cabinet officials, and media figures.
Chaos Inside the Ballroom
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and terror as gunshots rang out near the entrance screening area. Guests were heard screaming “Get down!” as attendees—including senior officials—ducked for cover beneath tables while security agents rushed to shield key figures.
Secret Service personnel immediately surrounded President Trump and escorted him and the First Lady off the stage. Armed agents stormed the ballroom, securing the area and evacuating cabinet members one by one. Some officials, including senior cabinet members, were reportedly pushed to the ground by protective teams during the rapid evacuation.
Security forces later confirmed that the suspect had been armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun, and knives. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities have not yet determined a clear motive but are treating the suspect as a possible “lone actor.”
Trump: “Secret Service Did a Great Job”
Speaking shortly after the incident in a press briefing at the White House, President Trump praised the Secret Service response, calling it “swift and professional.”
“The vest did the job,” Trump said, referring to the injured officer who confronted the gunman. “He charged from quite a distance, but our people did a great job stopping him.”
Trump confirmed that the injured officer had been released from the hospital and described the attacker as a “sick person.” He also suggested that he believed he may have been the intended target, although officials have not confirmed this.
Investigation Underway
Federal authorities, including the FBI, have launched a full investigation into how the suspect managed to bring multiple weapons into the heavily secured venue. Officials say reviewing security protocols at the Washington Hilton is now a priority, given the event’s status as one of the most secure gatherings in the U.S. political calendar.
CCTV footage released later showed a man running through a security checkpoint before being intercepted by armed officers.
Washington police confirmed that the suspect is believed to have acted alone, although investigations into possible connections or motivations are ongoing.
International Reactions
The incident drew swift international condemnation. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari termed it a “heinous act of terrorism,” while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed relief that President Trump, the First Lady, and all attendees were safe. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the attack, calling violence “intolerable in any civilized society.”
Background of Rising Threats
The attack comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding President Trump, who has survived multiple assassination attempts in recent years, including a shooting incident during a 2024 campaign rally in Pennsylvania and another foiled attempt in Florida.
Authorities noted that Saturday’s venue has historical significance, as it was also the site of a past assassination attempt on former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
Following the attack, the dinner was officially canceled. Trump later stated he hoped the event could be rescheduled in the coming weeks.
