Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner Leads to Suspect’s Arrest

A suspect was arrested following a shooting at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and members of Trump’s Cabinet were evacuated from the event but were unharmed. The incident occurred at about 8:36 p.m. local time when the suspect rushed a Secret Service checkpoint.

The suspect, from California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, according to officials. The suspect was intercepted by law enforcement. A law enforcement officer was struck in a bulletproof vest and received treatment at a local hospital.

The suspect was not hit by gunfire and is in hospital for evaluation. Officials stated he acted alone. The suspect will face charges including two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

He is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Monday. Officials said investigators believe the suspect was staying at the hotel, which allowed him entry at the time of the event. The US Attorney for the District of Columbia announced the charges during a press briefing.

The Republican House Speaker, who attended the event with his wife, stated he was thankful all attendees were safe. He praised law enforcement and first responders for their quick action and said he was praying for the country. He noted rising political tensions in America and commended law enforcement.

The New York City mayor denounced the incident on X, stating political violence is unacceptable and expressing gladness that the president and guests were safe.

The Washington Hilton is known as the Reagan Hotel due to the 1981 attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley Jr. at the site. The hotel annually hosts the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. A reporter described the sequence of events, noting that shots were heard in the hall, prompting attendees to take cover.

Secret Service agents evacuated the president and others, and the event did not continue despite the president’s wish to proceed. The reporter reported this as the third failed attempt on Trump’s life, crediting the Secret Service’s actions.