On April 26, 2026, during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington D.C., gunfire was reported, prompting an immediate security response and the rapid evacuation of attendees including former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump.
The incident unfolded around 7:50 a.m. Thailand time, which corresponded to evening in Washington D.C., when multiple witnesses reported hearing what sounded like gunshots near the main entrance of the ballroom. According to BBC correspondent Gary O’Donohue, who was present at the event, he initially did not recognize the sound but soon identified it as the distinct low thud of a semi-automatic weapon being fired.
Security personnel swiftly moved to protect high-profile attendees, forming a protective barrier around Trump and Melania as they were escorted from the venue. The same protocol was applied to Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials present at the dinner. Witnesses described a scene of controlled urgency, with guests being directed to evacuate calmly whereas law enforcement secured the premises.
In the aftermath, Trump characterized the incident as an assassination attempt, a claim that has not been independently verified by law enforcement or official investigative bodies as of the time of reporting. No official statement from the U.S. Secret Service or Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed the nature of the event beyond acknowledging the discharge of a weapon and the subsequent detention of a suspect.
Multiple news outlets, including BBC Thai, Daily News Thailand, and The Bangkok Insight, reported that authorities detained an individual at the scene, though no identity or motive has been publicly disclosed. The White House Correspondents’ Association confirmed the evacuation and stated that cooperation with law enforcement was ongoing, but declined to provide further details pending investigation.
The Washington Hilton hotel, a frequent venue for high-profile political and media events, implemented its emergency protocols immediately following the reports of gunfire. Hotel security worked in coordination with federal agents to clear the building and account for all guests and staff.
As of the latest available information, no injuries have been reported among attendees or staff. The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Has not released official casualty figures or ballistic findings, and the investigation remains active. No charges have been publicly announced against the detained individual.
The incident has reignited discussions about security protocols at major political gatherings, particularly those involving former and current government officials. Experts note that while the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is not a government function, it attracts significant security attention due to the presence of national leaders and media figures.
Officials have urged the public to await verified information from law enforcement channels, cautioning against the spread of unconfirmed details on social media. The White House has not issued an official statement on the matter, and the Secret Service has referred all inquiries to the Metropolitan Police Department.
For ongoing updates, the public is advised to consult official channels including the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Website and verified statements from the U.S. Secret Service. No further public briefings have been scheduled as of this report.
If you have information regarding this incident, authorities encourage you to contact the Metropolitan Police Department through their official tip line. Sharing verified updates helps ensure accurate public understanding of ongoing investigations.