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Shots, Secret Service and chaos: Blow-by-blow timeline of White House press dinner shooting
Chaos erupted at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner as shots were fired. Secret Service evacuated the President and other officials; the suspect was placed in custody, and subsequent briefings and charges followed. The timeline tracks events from the initial shots through to the charges filed late at night.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights security at high-profile political events and the immediate government response to an armed threat targeting the President.
Timeline
8 Events
Charges filed against suspect
April 25, 2026
At 11:12pm ET, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced that the suspect was being charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
FBI director and acting AG address reporters
April 25, 2026
FBI Director Kash Patel said a probe had been launched into the incident, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the suspect would be charged once the investigation progressed.
Trump to hold emergency press briefing
April 25, 2026
Twenty minutes after his Truth Social post about the shooter, Trump announced that he would hold a press briefing to address the incident.
Trump releases images and CCTV footage of shooter being captured
April 25, 2026
An hour after the incident, Trump released images and CCTV footage of the shooter being captured by agents on Truth Social, reiterating that the suspect was in custody.
Trump makes first remarks on Truth Social
April 25, 2026
At 9:17pm ET, President Trump posted on Truth Social, praising the Secret Service and stating that the shooter had been apprehended.
Suspect in custody reported after evacuation
April 25, 2026
Shortly after the evacuation, law enforcement officials said the suspect had been neutralised and was in custody.
POTUS, First Lady, VP and others evacuated from the venue
April 25, 2026
Secret Service agents evacuated President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials from the banquet hall as the shooting unfolded.
First shots heard as guests urged to take cover
April 25, 2026
At 8:35pm ET, multiple bangs were heard in the Washington Hilton banquet hall as guests were urged to take cover ahead of Donald Trump’s scheduled address.