Radio Free Europe Correspondent Witnesses Chaos During Attack at Trump Dinner in Washington

A Radio Free Europe journalist who attended the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 25 in Washington has provided firsthand details about the moments immediately following the shooting incident at the event where President Donald Trump was present.

Alex Raufoglu, the RFE correspondent who was at the Hilton hotel during the attack, described how attendees rapidly transitioned from confusion to understanding what was happening. "You could sense the shift immediately. People almost instantly went from being confused to realizing what was taking place," Raufoglu recounted. "Some immediately hid under tables. Others froze for a moment, trying to process what was occurring. But within seconds, everyone in the room understood it was gunfire," he explained.

The journalist also noted that dinner guests displayed solidarity with those nearby. "People checked on each other, asked if everyone was okay, made eye contact, and stayed close. We had already spent hours together that evening at several preceding events. There was a friendly atmosphere in the room," Raufoglu said.

The U.S. Secret Service swiftly evacuated President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance from the scene, while attendees received clear instructions to "stay down and remain quiet."

"Within seconds, we were told the suspect had been neutralized, but we were still instructed to remain in place and await further instructions," the RFE correspondent stated.

Raufoglu also noted that "security measures were significantly enhanced compared to previous years."

Incident Details

On April 25 in Washington, gunshots rang out during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Hilton hotel. President Trump was scheduled to address the gathering when the shooting occurred.

Following the shots, Trump and members of his team were immediately removed from the stage. According to preliminary reports, the president was unharmed and remains safe. The suspect's motives remain unknown at this time. The individual has been taken into custody, with formal charges expected to be filed on April 27.

According to media reports, an armed man forced his way into the ballroom, triggering panic as people sought cover under tables and lay on the floor. The attacker was stopped at the security perimeter and apprehended, a fact the FBI has confirmed.

According to authorities, a Secret Service agent was wounded in the shooting. Trump has already responded to the incident.