Washington, D.C. April 25, 2026 – Chaos erupted Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner when shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton, prompting the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other high-profile attendees.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, who was inside the venue, went live on X (formerly Twitter) from the ballroom to deliver a firsthand update. In a selfie video posted at approximately 8:57 p.m. ET, Pirro reported that shots had been fired, attendees were being removed from the main area, and the Secret Service had assumed full control of the building. She confirmed she had spoken directly with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and stated that Metro Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll was en route to coordinate the response.
Multiple eyewitness videos circulating on X show armed Secret Service agents and police officers running through the hotel hallways with rifles drawn as guests in formal attire were ushered out. One video captured law enforcement moving swiftly through marble-tiled corridors toward the scene of the incident.
According to reports from those on the scene and rapid updates across X, the gunfire originated in the lobby or adjacent area of the hotel. The suspect was engaged and killed by Secret Service personnel. No injuries have been reported among attendees in the ballroom. President Trump and the First Lady were safely exfiltrated by the Secret Service. Vice President JD Vance was also reportedly rushed off stage.
The Washington Hilton is the same venue where President Ronald Reagan was shot in an assassination attempt on March 30, 1981, just outside the hotel.
The annual WHCA Dinner, traditionally a black-tie event celebrating the press, drew thousands of journalists, politicians, and celebrities. President Trump was attending for the first time in his second term and had been expected to deliver remarks.
This is a developing story. Life News Agency will provide updates as more details emerge from law enforcement and official statements.
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