Image: from Stacy Washington X @StacyOnTheRight
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
New details have emerged following the shooting incident that disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., with authorities confirming that the suspected gunman was a registered guest at the hotel where the event was taking place.
According to Jeffrey Carroll, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect entered the Washington Hilton Hotel and charged a security checkpoint while heavily armed. Police say the individual carried a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives at the time of the incident.
Carroll noted that investigators are still working to determine the suspect’s motive and intended target. At this stage, the individual was not previously known to law enforcement, adding further uncertainty to the case.
⚡BREAKING:
🇺🇸 D.C. Police Chief says the suspected gunman at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is believed to have been a guest at the hotel hosting the event. pic.twitter.com/l3ewI1PDC8
— Litest (@Litest) April 26, 2026
The suspect was apprehended without being struck by gunfire and was subsequently transported to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities have since secured a hotel room linked to the individual and are conducting searches to assess any additional evidence.
Officials believe the suspect acted alone, with no indication of accomplices. Investigations remain ongoing as law enforcement continues to piece together the sequence of events.
Among those present at the dinner were U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, both of whom were safely evacuated and unharmed. Also attending the event were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Trump confirmed that one person is in custody and strongly condemned the suspect, describing him as a threat to the nation’s constitutional order.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over security at high-profile political and media gatherings, even in environments with extensive protective measures in place.