Scenes from the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting

By: cnbc Posted On: April 26, 2026 View: 38

President Donald Trump and other top U.S. officials were evacuated from an annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday after shots rang out soon after the start of the dinner.

At least five shots were heard at the event in the Washington Hilton hotel around 8:35 p.m. ET.

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

It appeared that no one was seriously injured. The gunman was taken into custody.

Here are some of the chaotic scenes that occurred in the aftermath of the shooting.

First Lady Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump attend of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, D.C. The president is making his first appearance at the event which he has shunned in the past.

Nathan Howard | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Attendees hide under tables after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Nathan Howard | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Federal agents draw their guns out after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Nathan Howard | Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump is escorted out as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026, in this screen capture from video.

Bo Erickson | Reuters

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed out by Secret Service agents after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.

Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is evacuated as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026.

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

Agents stand guard after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harnik | Getty Images

A law enforcement officer responds following reports of a shooting during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington, DC, US on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Yuri Gripas | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel walks following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

Attendees embrace as they leave after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.

Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller helps his wife Katie Miller after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Photo of the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting posted on President Donald Trump's Truth Social account on April 25th, 2026.

@realdonaldtrump | Truth Social

Read CNBC's complete coverage of the shooting here.

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