By Sara Cook, Arden Farhi, Charles Forelle, Zachary Hudak, Fin Gómez, Matthew Mosk, Mia Salenetri
Updated April 26, 2026 / CBS News
Gunfire at the Washington Hilton abruptly halted the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. A man allegedly armed with two firearms and knives breached a Secret Service checkpoint outside the ballroom and was stopped by law enforcement before reaching the dinner, where President Trump and about 2,600 guests had gathered. A Secret Service officer was struck by a round but was protected by a bulletproof vest, authorities said. Below is a moment-by-moment account based on authorities and eyewitnesses. Times are Eastern Daylight Time.
8:34:29 PM — Security checkpoint is breached
A person barreled through a Secret Service metal detector at full speed, stunning nearby officers. He sprinted past and was chased; the suspect was quickly apprehended. The checkpoint sits above the 30,000-square-foot ballroom, separated by a staircase. Security camera video of the breach was later posted by President Trump on Truth Social.
8:34:33 PM — Rapid fire of gunshots is heard
A series of rapid shots rang out in the ballroom. On the dais where the president sat, the shots were muted or not clearly audible; farther back, guests heard and smelled gunpowder. At that moment mentalist Oz Pearlman was performing at the head table for President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang. It took more than 20 seconds for the president to be whisked off the stage.
Around 8:34:35 PM — Guests take cover
Guests in the raised seating at the back of the ballroom crouched or dropped under tables; some recorded video on their phones.
Around 8:34:40 PM — Security rushes in
Security officers rushed up the center aisle, climbing over chairs and fanning out to protect principals. Cabinet members and members of Congress were seen crouched under tables.
8:34:45 PM — Trump is evacuated
Secret Service agents ran on stage. Vice President Vance was grabbed and escorted offstage within four seconds. An agent shielded President Trump; after a brief maneuver where Trump and the first lady were lowered and covered by agents, they were escorted offstage. Trump exited the stage about 20 seconds after Vance.
8:35:30 PM — Stephen Miller shields pregnant wife
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller used his body to protect his pregnant wife, Katie Miller, as federal agents moved down the main walkway. Agents reached the Millers and escorted them out through a stage-side exit.
8:35:47 PM — Security sweeps continue
Law enforcement with guns drawn occupied a stairwell at the rear of the ballroom and called into a swinging set of doors, clearing a nervous kitchen staff who stood with raised arms.
8:36:20 PM — RFK Jr.’s detail swarms his table
The security detail for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rushed to his table near the dais; an agent covered Kennedy and escorted him and his wife, Cheryl Hines, toward an exit.
8:37 PM — Administration officials escorted out
Security details began moving many dignitaries from the ballroom. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and others were escorted out as attendees remained under tables. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise was hustled through by a Capitol Police detail.
9:17 PM — Trump posts on Truth Social
President Trump posted that the shooter had been apprehended and that he had “recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.” He added the evening would be different than planned and suggested rescheduling.
9:39:12 PM — Dinner canceled
Weijia Jiang returned to the podium to announce the dinner would not continue as scheduled and that the president insisted on rescheduling within 30 days. She reminded the room that journalism is a public service and that when there is an emergency “we run to the crisis, not away from it,” noting the fragility of First Amendment freedoms.
Authorities have said the suspect was taken into custody; investigations and additional details, including motive and charges, were being developed.