Shooter image emerges after White House dinner scare in Washington

The first image of the man accused of opening fire during a security scare at a high-profile dinner in Washington has surfaced, offering a stark glimpse into a night that spiraled into chaos.

The photograph — grainy and tense — shows the suspect lying on the ground, restrained by armed security personnel. Shirtless, with a sheet covering the lower half of his body, the man appears subdued as officers stand guard. The image was shared on social media platform X by Russian state-backed broadcaster RT.

The incident unfolded at a hotel in Washington where the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner was underway — an event that had drawn top political leaders, journalists and public figures. Among those present were US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

A second, clearer close-up image of the suspect was later shared by Trump himself on social media, adding to the rapidly evolving stream of information following the scare.

Panic inside the banquet hall

According to officials, the chaos began when an armed man carrying a shotgun attempted to breach security at the venue.

What followed was a moment of sheer panic.

The sound of gunfire cut through the evening’s formal atmosphere. Conversations halted mid-sentence as shouts of “Get down, get down!” echoed across the hall. Guests — many of them prominent figures — scrambled for cover, diving under tables as fear spread in seconds.

US Secret Service personnel in combat gear rushed into the dining area, moving swiftly to contain the situation.

At the head table, Trump and the First Lady were seen ducking behind the dais before being quickly escorted out by security officers. The sudden evacuation underscored the gravity of the threat as confusion rippled through the room.

Shooter apprehended, investigation on

Roughly an hour after being moved to safety, Trump confirmed on social media that the suspect had been apprehended.

“Quite an evening in D C Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” he wrote, later adding that the First Lady, Vice President and Cabinet members were all safe.

An unnamed FBI official, quoted by Reuters, said the suspect fired at a Secret Service agent during the incident. The agent, protected by bulletproof gear, was hit but not injured.

Anthony Guglielmi, speaking on behalf of the agency, confirmed that an investigation is underway into a shooting near the main security screening area at the event’s entrance.

While the immediate threat was neutralized, questions remain over how the armed suspect managed to get so close to one of Washington’s most tightly secured gatherings — an inquiry that authorities are now racing to answer.