Breaking: Shots Fired at White House Dinner, Trump Safe, Suspect Captured

WASHINGTON (DTD/Web Desk) – President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were swiftly escorted out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night after a man carrying a shotgun attempted to break through security, officials said.

According to an Federal Bureau of Investigation official who spoke to Reuters, the suspect opened fire at a United States Secret Service agent. The agent was struck in an area protected by body armor and was not injured.

Several cabinet members and other attendees were also quickly evacuated from the venue by Secret Service personnel as a precaution.

Trump postpones delegation trip, Iran fails to finalize position

All federal officials, including President Donald Trump, were confirmed safe following the incident. Roughly an hour after being escorted from the venue, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the attacker had been taken into custody, praising the swift response of security forces and law enforcement.

In a follow-up message, he said the First Lady, Vice President, and all cabinet members were “in perfect condition,” adding that he planned to address the public at a White House press conference later that night.

Anthony Guglielmi, speaking on behalf of the United States Secret Service, confirmed that authorities were investigating a shooting near the main security screening area at the entrance to the event.

As gunshots rang out, the atmosphere inside the ballroom quickly turned chaotic. Conversations halted, and shouts of “Get down, get down!” echoed across the room. Many of the approximately 2,600 guests dropped to the floor or took cover under tables, while staff hurried away from the area.

Security personnel moved rapidly, forcing several senior officials to the ground for protection, including Marco Rubio, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Doug Burgum, as agents worked to secure the scene and evacuate attendees.

Iran Flights Resume 2026: Tehran Airport Opens Again After 56 Days

Other security personnel in combat fatigues stormed the stage and evacuated Trump and his wife. Some security personnel took up position on the stage, pointing their rifles into the ballroom. Cabinet members were then evacuated from the venue one by one.

Trump and the first lady bent down behind the dais ⁠before being hustled out by Secret Service officers. Trump stayed backstage about one hour, a source told Reuters. “We are staying,” he was overheard saying, the source said.

The event eventually was canceled for the evening. Trump posted on social media that he hoped it could be rescheduled in 30 days.

Saturday was the first time Trump has attended the correspondents’ dinner as president.

He was the subject of two assassination attempts in 2024, after he left the White House ⁠in 2021 and while he was campaigning for reelection.

The most serious occurred while Trump was campaigning at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. Trump was shot and wounded in his upper ear by a 20-year-old gunman. The gunman was shot dead by security personnel.

Just over two months after the ⁠Butler shooting, Secret Service agents spotted a man wielding a gun and hiding in bushes at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Trump was on the course. It was deemed an assassination attempt and the suspect was sentenced to life in ⁠prison in February.

The site of Saturday’s dinner, the Washington Hilton, was the scene of an attempt on the life of President Ronald Reagan, who was shot and wounded by a would-be assassin outside the hotel in 1981.

US court rules Trump asylum ban illegal in major ruling

Attendees of the dinner ducked under tables amid scenes of widespread confusion during the incident.

Trump, who was seated on a stage at the front of the ballroom next to first lady Melania Trump, was quickly surrounded by U.S. Secret Service members, while many attendees ducked under their tables.

Video of the event shows the president being ushered off the stage a few seconds later, as armed guards wearing tactical gear and large rifles appeared on the dais.

Numerous other top Trump administration officials were at the event, including Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

“I know everyone is going to want as many details as possible, and right now we don’t have them,” she said from the stage.

U.S. Attorney for Washington Jeanine Pirro, who was attending the event, said in a social media post that the Secret Service “is now in charge of” the building following the shooting.

A shooter has been taken into custody, according to members of the White House pool with President Trump.