politics

April 27, 2026

Inside the White House Correspondents' Dinner when shots rang out: Here's what CBS News journalists saw and heard.

Updated on: April 27, 2026 / 11:52 AM EDT / CBS News

Inside the White House Correspondents' Dinner when shots rang out: Here's what CBS News journalists saw and heard.

TL;DR

  • A gunman approached a security checkpoint outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
  • Journalists present in the ballroom reacted quickly, sharing their accounts of the incident.
  • Some heard gunshots, while others heard loud noises and observed the security response.
  • Reporters described security agents rushing the dais, shouting commands to get down, and ushering attendees to safety.
  • Several journalists recounted hiding under tables as the situation unfolded.
  • The immediate aftermath involved confusion about the ongoing threat and the safety of the attendees.