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.

Published on: Apr 26, 2026 3:45 PM IST

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Published on Apr 26, 2026 3:45 PM

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)

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Published on Apr 26, 2026 3:45 PM

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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Published on Apr 26, 2026 3:45 PM

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)