The Times Reporters Describe What Happened When the Shooting Started at the Dinner Event

Six reporters from The New York Times were seated at a table near the right side of the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner when gunfire erupted on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Gavin Quinton, a Times reporter attending the event, described hearing four or five gunshots around 8:30 p.m. Eastern time and taking shelter in a restroom after the incident began.

According to Quinton, a security guard informed him that the individual who approached the dining area may have been armed and was subsequently shot by law enforcement, though it remained unclear whether the person was wounded or killed.

Multiple on-scene witnesses reported seeing an unknown man dash toward the dining area before being met with gunfire, with one hotel security guard stating she observed the individual in possession of a firearm.

Other witnesses expressed uncertainty about whether the suspect was armed, highlighting the confusion and rapid unfolding of events in the ballroom.

Video footage captured by Quinton showed a person on the ground surrounded by law enforcement officers as attendees were ordered to evacuate the area.

Separate video from C-SPAN documented President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump being escorted from the stage by federal agents and Secret Service officers, while other agents stood guard with assault rifles.

Audio from the scene included someone shouting, “Get down,” as chaos spread through the room following the gunfire.

White House officials confirmed that the president and first lady were unharmed and later stated they were safe following the incident.

President Trump took to Truth Social to announce his intention to hold a news conference and reschedule the dinner within 30 days.

The White House Correspondents’ Association hosts the annual dinner to celebrate press freedom and the First Amendment, drawing thousands of guests including journalists, politicians, and public figures.