Washington, 26 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) – A suspected attacker has been apprehended after shots rang out at a press dinner in Washington on Saturday evening, leading security forces to evacuate US President Donald Trump and his wife.

The incident occurred during the White House Correspondents' Dinner held at the Washington Hilton, with Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials in attendance. After a loud noise was heard, security personnel quickly entered the room and escorted the president and First Lady Melania Trump off the stage.

According to initial findings, a heavily armed shooter raced past security at around 8:30 pm and fired several shots, hitting one officer before being subdued by security forces outside the ballroom where the event was held.

Images published by Trump show armed officers surrounding a person lying on the ground.

Other guests at the event took cover under tables as heavily armed security officers secured the venue.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said "the First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition." He said the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.

According to the Secret Service, the incident occurred near the security screening area for the event.

Trump: Suspect was carrying multiple weapons

Trump told a press conference at the White House that the suspect was carrying multiple weapons, and police later confirmed he had been armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

The president also posted a video appearing to show the suspect running past security officers, who then point their weapons at him. It was not clear whether the attacker had been targeting the president, Trump said.

The suspect was apprehended without having been struck by gunfire. Trump identified the man as living in California, with local media reporting he was 31 years old. No official information was initially available on his identity.

A US Secret Service officer was shot during the attack, Trump told the press conference, saying the officer was hit at close range by a "powerful gun," but was saved by a bulletproof vest.

"I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great," Trump said.

The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the US president and other senior officials.

Both Trump and the authorities said the perpetrator is believed to have acted alone.

The suspect, who was brought to hospital for examination, has since been questioned and is to be arraigned on Monday.

Trump asked that "all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference peacefully."

"We have to resolve our differences."

Asked whether he believes the incident might have been motivated by political reasons, he said: "You never know. We'll be able to tell you that maybe by tomorrow or the next day."

The White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual event honouring the press corps, had just gotten under way and guests were eating their appetizers when suddenly a commotion broke out.

"Get down, get down," people shouted. For several minutes, guests remained on the floor, crouching under the tables – some clearly in shock.

When they came back up, the table on the stage was empty, with Trump, Vance and White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt having been rushed out the room.

Heavily armed security forces were inside the ballroom, with rumours swirling that there had been a shooting.

Reporters sitting near the exits said they had heard loud noise.

The dinner was initially supposed to continue, but instead Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association which organizes the event, told journalists present that Trump would hold a press conference at the White House in about 30 minutes.

According to security authorities, the perpetrator had been a guest at the Hilton hotel.

Those attending the gala did not have to go through security to enter the hotel, only to enter the ballroom.

The Washington Hilton is the same venue were then-president Ronald Reagan was shot 45 years ago, an assassination attempt he survived severely wounded.

Photo: EPA