Published: 12:35 AM, 27 April 2026
White House gunman was likely targeting Trump
Officials say
Attendees hide under tables after an incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington on Saturday. -Getty
The suspect in the attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' dinner is believed to have been targeting US Presiden Donald Trump and members of his 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.
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.
Trump told a press conference at the White House that the suspect was carrying multiple weapons, and police later confirmed he had been armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.
He said a US Secret Service officer shot during the attack was hit at close range by a "powerful gun," but was protected by a bulletproof vest.
The US president also posted a video on social media appearing to show the suspect running past security officers, who then point their weapons at him.
The Washington Hilton is the same venue where then-president Ronald Reagan was shot 45 years ago, an assassination attempt he survived, though he was severely wounded.
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.
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.
STARMER 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.
>>Agency
