Alleged shooter was guest at hotel during White House Correspondents’ Dinner: DC police

Asiye Yilmaz

The suspected gunman involved in a shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on Saturday evening was a guest at the hotel where the event was held, police said.

Jeffrey Carroll, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said authorities are still working to determine the suspect’s motive and intended target, noting the individual was not previously known to law enforcement.

Carroll said the suspect charged a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, as well as a handgun and multiple knives. He added that the suspect was not struck by gunfire and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Law enforcement has secured a hotel room linked to the suspect and is conducting searches to determine its contents, he said.

Officials believe the individual acted alone, with no other suspects identified at this stage, according to CBS News.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the annual event at the Washington Hilton, and were unharmed.

Trump said one person was in custody after the incident. He described the suspect as a “very sick person” and a “thug” who had attacked the US Constitution.

Others in attendance included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.