White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting in photos: How a gala turned into a nightmare

photos

By Shweta Kukreti

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Trump, Melania, and high-ranking officials were evacuated to safety from the annual event following the shooting outside the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom.

Share Via

Copy Link

1 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Law enforcement personnel detain Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 25, 2026. (via REUTERS)

2 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

U.S. Secret Service agents surround President Donald Trump as he is taken from the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP)

3 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Guests embrace one another following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

4 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

U.S. first lady Melania Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

5 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Security officials evacuate guests as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

6 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

FBI agents walk behind police tape outside the home of the alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter in Torrance, California, on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

7 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Attendees depart after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. Shots were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a media gala in Washington on Saturday night, with the gunman detained at a screening area just outside the hotel ballroom where hundreds of guests had gathered. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski / AFP)(AFP)

8 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Police tape blocks off the area near the home of the alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter after the arrival of FBI agents, in Torrance, California, on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

9 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

FBI agents are seen at the Washington Hilton after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)

10 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Reporters and onlookers are seen outside the home of the alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter in Torrance, California, on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

11 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Agents draw their guns after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.(AFP)

12 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Guests take cover after U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner by Secret Service agents when a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel outside the room, in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 25, 2026. Picture taken using a mobile phone. REUTERS/Evan Vucci(REUTERS)

13 / 13

Published on Apr 26, 2026 03:45 pm IST

Law enforcement officials block a street at an address connected to Cole Tomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Torrance, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)(AP)

Home / Photos / White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting in photos: How a gala turned into a nightmare

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti

Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities. Read Less ...Read More

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting in photos: How a gala turned into a nightmare

Trump, Melania, and high-ranking officials were evacuated to safety from the annual event following the shooting outside the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom.

Law enforcement personnel detain Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 25, 2026. (via REUTERS)

U.S. Secret Service agents surround President Donald Trump as he is taken from the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP)

Guests embrace one another following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

U.S. first lady Melania Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

Security officials evacuate guests as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

FBI agents walk behind police tape outside the home of the alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter in Torrance, California, on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

Police tape blocks off the area near the home of the alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter after the arrival of FBI agents, in Torrance, California, on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

FBI agents are seen at the Washington Hilton after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)

Reporters and onlookers are seen outside the home of the alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter in Torrance, California, on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

Agents draw their guns after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.(AFP)

Law enforcement officials block a street at an address connected to Cole Tomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Torrance, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)(AP)

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like