White House gunman was targeting Trump team, says official
What you need to know
- Shots were fired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner with President Trump in attendance
- Trump, uninjured, was rushed from the event by security personnel
- The suspect, a 31-year-old man from California, has been taken into custody
- A Secret Service agent was hit and is in hospital
- Trump held a press conference at the White House after the shooting
Below you can see DW's coverage of the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner:
Skip next section Suspect was targeting Trump team at White House dinner04/26/2026April 26, 2026Suspect was targeting Trump team at White House dinner
The suspect in the attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' dinner is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the accused traveled across the country, taking a train from California to Chicago and then to Washington before checking into the hotel hosting the event.
Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect, though authorities have not formally named him.
"It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president," Blanche told the broadcaster NBC.
"The suspect is believed to have purchased the firearms he carried within the last couple of years," Blanche added.
The individual tried to force his way into the ballroom at the Washington Hilton but was tackled, triggering a chaotic scene in which shots were fired, President Donald Trump was rushed from the stage, and guests took cover.
Authorities are analyzing the messages alongside data from the suspect’s devices and writings for clues about motivation.
The gunman was taken into custody and was initially being evaluated in the hospital.
"He failed," Blanche said told the news channel CBS. "Law enforcement did their jobs."
The gunman is "not actively cooperating" with the investigation, said Blanche.
Washington shooting: Suspect in custody, motive unclear
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https://p.dw.com/p/5CqoHSkip next section We're reopening the blog04/26/2026April 26, 2026We're reopening the blog
Dmytro Hubenko EditorWe'll be keeping you up to date with events in the United States, as officials release details about the accused gunman who tried to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Please stay with us!
https://p.dw.com/p/5CqldSkip next section What we know about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner04/26/2026April 26, 2026What we know about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner
Thank you for joining our coverage of last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC.
As we wrap up our live reporting on the shooting, here's a summary of events from the night:
Where and when did the shooting start
Gunshots were heard shortly after the White House Correspondents' Dinner began at the Washington Hilton hotel.
According to reports, a lone suspect, who has been taken into police custody, had been staying in the hotel and rushed Secret Service agents in the lobby. Shots were fired and one agent was hospitalized.
Police said the suspect was not shot, but was tackled to the ground before also being taken to hospital.
How did the Secret Service react
Numerous Secret Service agents were in the room with President Trump and the 2,300 guests when the shots were fired.
They sprang into action, rushing Trump and other senior figures from the stage.
Cabinet members in the audience had their own security detail with them.
Heavily armed agents quickly appeared after the shots were heard, pointing their guns out into the room where the guests were hiding under the tables.
There has been some criticism from people in attendance that security had been lax, but the Secret Service defended the security measures, saying its "layered security posture" had managed to stop the armed suspect.
What did authorities say about the suspect?
A 31-year-old man from California was arrested after being tackled by law enforcement, police said.
He had reportedly been carrying a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Police said they believe the man acted alone.
The alleged shooter had a LinkedIn profile that said he worked as a tutor and had a master's degree. He was also an amateur video game developer.
News agencies also reported that he had donated $25 (€21) to the 2024 presidential election campaign of Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.
The suspect is to be formally charged in court on Monday.
What did Trump say after the shooting
A couple of hours later, he held a press conference at the White House where he said the shooter was likely a "lone wolf" and that the incident had been "rather traumatic."
The president said he had wanted to continue the dinner after the shooting, but the Secret Service told him he had to leave.
He also thanked law enforcement for their quick reaction in a post on Truth Social.
The president has said the Correspondents' Dinner will be held again within 30 days.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CqHOSkip next section More world leaders express relief after shots fired at White House dinner04/26/2026April 26, 2026More world leaders express relief after shots fired at White House dinner
World leaders have expressed shock and relief after shots were fired at a dinner attended by US President Donald Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the incident "unacceptable" and said violence has no place in a democracy, adding he extended full support to Trump.
The shots were heard at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was "relieved" there were no casualties and also stressed that political violence has no place in a democracy, adding that an event honoring a free press should not become a scene of fear.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned what he described as an attack on Trump.
"Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence and peace," he wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife were shocked by the attempted assassination, adding they were relieved the president and first lady were safe and praising the US Secret Service for a "swift and decisive" response.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented, saying he was "relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed."
"I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi wrote on X.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CqKWSkip next section Starmer condemns DC shooting 2 days before King Charles to visit04/26/2026April 26, 2026Starmer condemns DC shooting 2 days before King Charles to visit
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is "shocked" by a shooting at a Washington media gala and relieved that President Donald Trump and others were unharmed.
The incident prompted speculation about security around the president just ahead of a royal visit by Britain's King Charles III.
The shooting took place late Saturday at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association, less than 48 hours before Charles is due to begin a US state visit.
"I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington overnight, Stamer posted in a message on the platform X.
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms."
The UK prime minister also expressed relief that the president and first lady were unharmed.
The king is set to travel to Washington and New York with Queen Camilla for a four-day trip that includes a meeting with Trump and the first lady and a state dinner.
Senior minister Darren Jones said British and US security teams have been working closely to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place, adding the government and royal household take the king’s security very seriously.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Cq5RSkip next section 'I could smell some gunpowder'04/26/2026April 26, 2026'I could smell some gunpowder'
DW's Washington bureau chief Ines Pohl describes the scenes inside the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
DW reporter Janelle Dumalaon was also at the event.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CptaSkip next section IN PICTURES: Gunshots at the White House Correspondents' Dinner04/26/2026April 26, 2026
IN PICTURES: Gunshots at the White House Correspondents' Dinner
How the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner unfolded
Saturday marked the first time that Trump, who has frequently accused the media of lying when it is critical of him, attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner while in office. He was the first president not to attend the event. In another break with tradition, Saturday's event did not include a comedian. In years past, comedians were invited to roast the president in front of big names from US media.
However, all that paled in comparison to what happened next:
- The dinner event officially began at 8 p.m. (0000 GMT)
- At around 8:35 p.m., thuds were heard from the floor above the ballroom
- The sound turned chatter to silence, with some nervous reactions — Trump later said he thought it was a tray being dropped
- In fact, a gunman had rushed a Secret Service checkpoint in the lobby
- Police Chief Jeffery Carroll later said the man had been carrying a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives
- A Secret Service agent was injured and taken to the hospital, as was the suspected assailant, who had been tackled to the ground
- In the ballroom, the Secret Service sprang into action, hustling Trump and his wife, Melania, along with other officials from the stage
- Other agents jumped to cover Cabinet secretaries who were in attendance
- Guests hid under tables as armed agents seemingly appeared from behind tables, pointing rifles toward the crowd
- At around 9:17 p.m., Trump posted on Truth Social that the shooter had been arrested and that law enforcement had 'acted quickly and bravely'
- Trump said he had tried to continue the event, but was told to leave by law enforcement
- At around 10:30 p.m., Trump addressed the media from the White House
- He said the suspect appeared to be a lone gunman and joked that Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents Association, had been about to ask him a 'killer question'
Secret Service says attacker stopped at first contact
The US Secret Service deputy director has said the attempted attack was thwarted before it could escalate.
Matthew Quinn said in a statement that the suspect was stopped immediately.
"Tonight, a coward attempted to create a national tragedy. He underestimated the protective capabilities of the US Secret Service and was stopped at first contact." Quinn said.
"The strength of our layered security posture was evident, with a myriad of countermeasures still ahead," he added.
He also expressed gratitude to the men and women of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpmfSkip next section What do we know about the suspected shooter in custody?04/26/2026April 26, 2026What do we know about the suspected shooter in custody?
Police arrested a 31-year-old male from California who had been a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel.
The Associated Press reported that he was a master's graduate, tutor and amateur video game developer, based on the LinkedIn profile that appeared to match his name and photo.
He acquired a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering before completing a master's degree in computer science.
He had reportedly been working for the past six years as a tutor helping aspiring college students and had developed a video game about molecular chemistry available on the Steam platform.
According to federal campaign finance records, he had donated $25 (€21) to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpZISkip next section What were the security measures at the Correspondents' Dinner?04/26/2026April 26, 2026What were the security measures at the Correspondents' Dinner?
As with any incident like this, there will be questions over security preparations, however, the Secret Service has said the fact that they were able to stop the shooter is evidence that the multi-layered security measures worked.
Describing the evening's events, President Donald Trump said the venue was "not a particularly secure building."
Here is a list of key security measures that were in place:
- The Washington Hilton hotel was closed to the public at 2 p.m., six hours before the event
- Only hotel guests and those with tickets to the event could enter
- The 2,300 guests had to pass through security checks, including metal detectors
- Nobody was allowed to enter the room once Trump had arrived
- Inside the ballroom, the Secret Service maintained a buffer around the president
- There were armored plates hidden under the table where he was seated
- Secret Service agents were positioned in front of and next to the stage
- Heavily armored counter-assault agents were also on standby — and they can be seen in footage as security rush to remove Trump from the scene
Gunman was targeting administration officials — report
CBS News has reported that the gunman was targeting Trump administration officials, citing two sources.
The suspect reportedly told law enforcement after his arrest. It was not immediately clear if he was also including the president himself among the administration officials.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpTHSkip next section When else have people tried to shoot Trump?04/26/2026April 26, 2026When else have people tried to shoot Trump?
The motive behind the gunshots at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening is still not fully clear, however, it is not the first time that the Secret Service has had to deal with gunmen who appear to be targeting the president.
The most prominent incident took place in July 2024, during the campaign for the presidential election. Trump was at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when several shots were fired, with one hitting his right ear.
The shooter was killed by security.
Several months later, another armed man was spotted at Trump's Mar-a-lago Golf Club where the president was golfing at the time.
That man was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison in February.
Sentencing came just days before another man entered Mar-a-lago with a gas can and a shotgun. However, Trump was not at the club at the time and the man was shot dead by security.
Political violence is not uncommon in the United States and several political figures have been assassinated, including former presidents. A failed attempt on former President Ronald Reagan's life, in fact, took place at the same Washington Hilton where Saturday's Correspondence Dinner was being held.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpTDSkip next section World leaders condemn political violence after shooting04/26/2026April 26, 2026World leaders condemn political violence after shooting
Alex Berry | Sean Sinico EditorFollowing the gunshots at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, world leaders have taken to social media to condemn political violence and express relief that President Trump was not injured.
The leaders of neighboring Canada and Mexico, with whom Trump has had a tense relationship, were quick to chime in.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a message on X that it was good that Trump and his wife are safe, adding that "Violence must never be the way."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared similar sentiments, adding that his "thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his "best wishes for their continued safety and well-being," while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: "My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also took to X, saying: "I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots. Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world."
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpT2Skip next section Suspect to be formally charged in court on Monday, US prosecutor says04/26/2026April 26, 2026Suspect to be formally charged in court on Monday, US prosecutor says
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney in Washington, DC, said the suspect is facing two counts for using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers using a dangerous weapon.
She said the suspect will be arraigned before a federal court on Monday.
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