King Charles and Queen Camilla Proceed with US State Visit After Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner

The suspect charged a security checkpoint near the main magnetometer screening area. A Secret Service agent wearing a bulletproof vest was struck in the chest and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.

The agent was released from the hospital in good condition. Authorities returned fire, but the exact number of rounds exchanged remains under investigation. No other injuries were reported.

“It is clear, based upon what we know so far, that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could.”

The suspect sent an email containing writings described as a manifesto to family members shortly before the event. The manifesto stated plans to target administration officials. The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives, and acted alone, according to police.

President Trump was evacuated safely and returned to the White House, where he held a news conference praising the officers' response.

“We have to resolve our differences.”

In a subsequent interview, Trump said he initially resisted Secret Service efforts to escort him out, wanting to assess the situation. The dinner will be rescheduled within the next 30 days, Trump announced. Former President Barack Obama condemned the violence in a post on X, stating it has no place in democracy and expressing gratitude to the Secret Service.

The shooting has implications for a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation against the construction of a new White House ballroom. A Justice Department letter urged dismissal of the suit, citing the incident as underscoring the need for secure facilities within the White House perimeter.

The letter noted that the ballroom would seat about 1,000 guests and prevent future risks at external venues like the Washington Hilton. A judge had temporarily blocked above-ground construction in March but allowed underground national-security facilities to proceed.

Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III and Queen Camilla's state visit to the United States will proceed as planned, starting Monday. The decision followed discussions with governments on both sides and security advice. Modest adjustments will be made to one or two engagements, but the overall schedule remains unchanged.

The visit marks Charles' first to the U.S. since 2018, when he attended the state funeral of former President George H. W. Bush. Planned stops include New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., with a state dinner at the White House and events marking America's 250th birthday.

The palace stated the visit recognizes shared history, economic, security, and cultural ties between the two nations.

The incident occurs amid a funding lapse for much of the Department of Homeland Security, including the Secret Service.