Cheryl Hines Carried to Safety After Gunfire Erupts at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

A shooting scare disrupted the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, forcing a rapid evacuation of attendees, including actress Cheryl Hines and senior government officials.

The incident took place around 8:30 p.m. ET at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., where journalists, celebrities, and political figures had gathered for the annual event. According to officials, a suspect approached a security checkpoint while armed, prompting an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents.

One Secret Service officer was injured during the confrontation but survived, reportedly due to wearing a bulletproof vest. Authorities confirmed that the suspect was quickly apprehended at the scene.

Cheryl Hines, known for her role in Curb Your Enthusiasm and the wife of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., described the chaotic moments in a video posted to Instagram shortly after the incident. She said attendees initially did not understand what was happening as shots rang out.

“Everybody got under the tables,” Hines said. “Nobody knew what was going on.”

Hines explained that her husband’s security team moved quickly to get them out of the ballroom. Due to the crowded space and her formal attire, she said agents had to physically lift her over chairs to escort her through back exits.

“We got in the car and left,” she said, adding later that both she and her husband were safe.

Video from inside the venue showed Secret Service agents entering the ballroom and escorting President Donald Trump out of the room. In a press briefing afterward, Trump praised law enforcement, calling the suspect “a very sick person” and commending the agents who intervened.

The president initially indicated he wanted the event to continue but ultimately left the premises following security protocol.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is typically a high-profile gathering celebrating journalism and the First Amendment. This year’s event was cut short as authorities secured the area and began an investigation.

Officials have not yet released detailed information about the suspect or a possible motive. Law enforcement agencies are continuing to review the incident.

Attendees and officials have since emphasized the effectiveness of the rapid security response, which likely prevented further harm.