Suspected gunshots briefly disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, prompting security agents to rush guests to safety as authorities moved to secure the area. Early accounts from journalists inside the venue describe confusion in the ballroom after several loud bangs were heard, triggering an immediate security response.
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Loud bangs trigger security response
A White House pool reporter said several loud bangs were heard inside the hotel ballroom during the event.
Moments later, members of the United States Secret Service rushed into action with guns drawn, shouting “shots fired” as they moved people away from the area.
Pool reporters said they were quickly pushed back and held by Secret Service personnel while agents worked to secure the scene.
While reporters were being held, some overheard agents saying that a suspected gunman had been taken into custody.
Guests crouch as chaos unfolds
Images taken inside the Washington Hilton, where the dinner is traditionally held, showed guests crouching or taking cover after the sounds were heard.
Security personnel were seen helping some attendees evacuate from the ballroom as the situation unfolded.
Several prominent figures were present at the event. The pool report said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was seen limping as he moved through the area, while Jeanine Pirro was escorted past reporters by security.
FBI director shielded companion
Among those seated near the disturbance was Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A journalist seated nearby said Patel reacted immediately when the sounds were heard. According to the account, he covered his girlfriend with his body and dropped to the ground as the situation unfolded.
After several minutes, one of Patel’s security agents signalled to other agents in the room that the FBI director was safe.
As guests began cautiously standing again, Patel was seen sending messages on his phone.
When reporters attempted to ask him what had happened, he was quickly escorted out of the room by security.
Investigation continues
Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the source of the loud bangs or whether shots were actually fired.
However, agents at the scene indicated that a suspected shooter had been detained as security continued to manage the situation.
Officials are expected to provide further details once the incident has been fully assessed.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Compiled from various sources 26 April 2026
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