Gunman Assembled Long Weapon In Unsecured Room Before Opening Fire Near White House Dinner

Last Updated:April 26, 2026, 07:46 IST

A suspected gunman assembled a “long” weapon in an unsecured area before opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, triggering panic, according to a report.

A suspected gunman appeared to assemble a “long" weapon in a lightly monitored area before opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, according to a witness account reported by the New York Post.

The incident triggered panic and a large-scale security response, forcing the evacuation of US President Donald Trump and other top officials.

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Helen Mabus, a volunteer working at the event, told the New York Post that she saw the suspect handling what she described as an unusual firearm in a makeshift space near a terrace-level entrance.

“He was in that room. He grabbed it out of a bag or something," Mabus said, adding that the weapon “was long" and “didn’t look like a typical gun."

“THERE WAS NO SECURITY": WITNESS FLAGS POSSIBLE LAPSE

Mabus described the area as a “makeshift room" used for storing bar carts, claiming it was not being actively monitored at the time.

“There was no security," she said, noting that the suspect was partially out of view as he handled and assembled the weapon.

According to her account, the man remained inside the room briefly before suddenly moving toward the main event area.

“He put it together and ran towards the stairs to go down to the ballroom," she said.

Her description suggests the suspect may have exploited a vulnerable space near the entrance, an aspect that could come under scrutiny as investigators piece together how the breach occurred.

SHOTS FIRED, PANIC INSIDE BALLROOM

Moments after leaving the room, the suspect began firing, sending shockwaves through the venue.

“It just seemed like he was shooting all over the place," Mabus said, estimating she heard “at least 10 shots."

Inside the ballroom, chaos erupted as hundreds of attendees, including journalists, officials and guests, scrambled for safety.

According to the Associated Press, people ducked under tables while others shouted warnings such as “Out of the way, sir!" and “duck."

Some in the crowd reported hearing between five and eight shots, the Associated Press reported, as confusion spread and guests tried to understand what was unfolding.

A chant of “God Bless America" was heard from one corner as security personnel rushed in and began evacuations.

TRUMP, TOP OFFICIALS EVACUATED; AGENT HIT BUT SAFE

Donald Trump was escorted out of the ballroom by Secret Service agents and was not injured.

He briefly stumbled while being moved but was quickly helped to his feet.

All officials under Secret Service protection, including Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet members, were evacuated from the venue.

Reuters reported that a Secret Service agent was struck during the shooting, but the bullet hit protective gear, leaving the officer unharmed.

An FBI official cited by Reuters said the attacker was armed with a shotgun and had fired at a Secret Service agent during the incident.

SHOOTER APPREHENDED, INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Authorities later confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended.

Trump, posting after the incident, said a “shooter had been apprehended" and praised the response of law enforcement.

“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job," he said, adding that all senior officials, including First Lady Melania Trump, were safe.

Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesperson, said the agency was investigating a shooting near the main screening area at the entrance to the event.

EVENT SCRAPPED AMID SECURITY SCARE

The high-profile dinner, attended by hundreds of prominent figures, was called off following the incident.

According to AP, staff began dismantling the setup shortly after the evacuation, with table settings cleared and preparations halted.

Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, said the event would be held again at a later date, stating, “We will do this again."

Outside the venue, security presence intensified rapidly, with National Guard personnel and law enforcement flooding the area, while helicopters circled overhead.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to examine how the attacker was able to navigate the venue and whether existing protocols were sufficient for an event of such national significance.

ALSO READ | ‘Let The Show Go On’: Trump After Suspect Held For Shooting At White House Dinner

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