Summary

  1. King's state visit to US 'will proceed as planned' - Buckingham Palacepublished at 18:55 BST
    Breaking

    Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles's state visit to the US "will proceed as planned".

    In a statement, it says the decision follows "discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day".

    The palace says that "the King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case, and are looking forward to the visit getting under way tomorrow".

    The King and Queen are due to travel to the US for a four-day state visit on Monday - their agenda includes a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House.

  2. What BBC reporters saw and heard from the scenepublished at 18:31 BST

    BBC reporters were at the correspondents' dinner when shots were fired last night. Here's a recap of what they saw and heard:

    Media caption,

    Watch: State Department correspondent Tom Bateman recounts the scene in the room

  3. 'We are proud of everyone in that room' - White House Correspondents' Associationpublished at 18:15 BST

    "Last night's shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance", the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) says in a statement.

    The president of the association, Weijia Jiang, says the actions of Secret Service and law enforcement "protected thousands of guests". She also wishes the injured officer a "full and speedy recovery".

    "Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it. Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands," she says.

    "We are proud of everyone in that room", she adds.

  4. Secret Service agent believed to have been shot by alleged gunman, says acting attorney generalpublished at 17:57 BST

    Security officials evacuate guests as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Security officials pictured evacuating guests at last night's dinner

    More now from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

    Speaking to ABC This Week, he says it appears the Secret Service agent who was shot during the incident was shot by the alleged gunman - and not by friendly fire from other agents.

    But he adds that this is not yet confirmed and the details are still being investigated

    He has been speaking to a number of US broadcasters today. In an interview with the BBC's US partner CBS News, Blanche says it's understood that no one else was injured apart from the Secret Service agent, who he describes as being "in great spirits".

    He says tragedy was avoided "because he was wearing a bulletproof vest".

  5. Democratic congressman commends Trump's comments about the shootingpublished at 17:40 BST

    Congressman Jamie Rankin mid-speech in front of a mic and lectern set up outdoorsImage source, Reuters

    Speaking to CBS Face the Nation this morning, Maryland Democratic Rep Jamie Raskin says Trump's comments since the shooting have been a "welcome change in rhetoric".

    Raskin, who attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner, says he hopes the incident fuels a national bipartisan conversation about how to improve public safety for everyone.

    "We have said all along that we need every politician in the country, every leader in the country, every citizen in the country denouncing political violence across the board, regardless of where it's coming from," he says.

  6. Was security at the event enough?published at 17:25 BST

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    White House reporter

    Glass shards rests at the bottom of what used to be a glass panel lining a set of internal steps inside a hotelImage source, Reuters

    We're now getting more details of the security that was present at the White House Correspondents' Dinner - and in retrospect, many will be wondering whether it was adequate.

    The hotel was closed to the public from about 14:00 local time (19:00 BST), with entry restricted to hotel guests and those with tickets to the event or one of several private receptions that took place before and after the main event.

    Personally, I found it slightly odd to walk into the main lobby of the hotel at about 17:30 (22:30 BST) and see hotel guests eating and drinking in the lobby just feet away from prominent politicians and members of the media.

    Invitations were not checked at the hotel entrance, although I did have to flash it to a guard briefly to enter the property. There are no names on the tickets - only table numbers - and at no point was I asked to show any form of identification.

    Only once did guests pass through metal detectors, just before entering a large waiting area where drinks were served. The shooting took place in this area, which was up a flight of stairs from the actual ballroom.

    Several people I have spoken to, however, recall being slightly surprised at how that security sweep was carried out.

    One friend of mine told me this morning that the metal detector went off because of a vaping device in his pocket, but was waved through after explaining to the officer what it was.

  7. Washington taking stock of dramatic and shocking nightpublished at 17:07 BST

    Shaimaa Khalil
    Reporting from outside the Washington Hilton hotel

    The Washington Hilton hotel, where a shooting incident occurred yesterday night at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in WashingtonImage source, Reuters

    It’s a cold Sunday morning outside the Washington Hilton hotel. The metal barricades and big plastic blockades still line up the street opposite the building.

    It’s quiet here with a few people milling about and journalists setting up - a contrast to the chaos of last night.

    Washington is taking stock of a dramatic and shocking night at one of the most high-profile events in this city. An event designed to celebrate journalism ended up being a massive breaking story.

    This ballroom was meant to be one of the safest, most secure rooms in the country.

    The director of the Secret Service as well as other law enforcement officials have said that the way the events unfolded shows that the security plan did work.

    The gunman was apprehended and prevented from getting into the ballroom. The president himself said he was satisfied with their performance - but make no mistake, Trump’s security is now under scrutiny.

    Because at the heart of all of this is a massive security breach in a room that had the president, the vice-president, the first lady, the speaker of the house and other senior cabinet members all in one room - where shots were fired very close to them.

  8. Alleged gunman 'strongly anti-Christian', Trump says in first interview since shootingpublished at 16:50 BST

    US President Donald Trump listens to CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in WashingtonImage source, Reuters

    We've just heard Donald Trump give his first interview since last night's shooting. Here's a recap of the key points:

    • Trump said he and the first lady are fine after what was a "very sad evening in many ways"
    • He said the alleged gunman had "hatred in his heart" and was "strongly anti-Christian" - as a reminder, police said earlier that the motive remains unknown
    • He praised the Secret Service, saying the suspect came running in like "an NFL running back" and they "stopped him cold"
    • He reiterates comments made via Truth Social earlier today, saying the White House ballroom is needed to avoid future security issues
    • On the upcoming state visit, he says King Charles III is still coming and "we're gonna have a great time"
  9. The King is still coming, Trump says: 'He's brave'published at 16:34 BST

    King Charles and Donald Trump standing next to each other while walking along the lawn of Windsor CastleImage source, PA Media

    Trump is asked if King Charles III and Queen Camilla's visit to the US will continue as planned.

    The King is still coming, Trump answers.

    "He's a great guy, and we look forward to it. He's really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and he's brave," Trump says.

    The King has been a fan of his for a long time, Trump says.

    "We're gonna have a great time. And he represents his nation like nobody else can do it," Trump adds.

  10. Trump: Alleged gunman had 'hatred in his heart' and is 'strongly anti-Christian'published at 16:28 BST

    Asked again about the alleged gunman's motive, Trump says the suspect appears to have had "hatred in his heart for a while".

    He says it was a "religious thing" and "strongly anti-Christian".

    "He's got some big problems with the rest of his life", Trump says.

    Trump adds that he didn't know quite how dangerous his job was when he ran for president.

    "If you're a consequential president you're in much more danger than if you're not a consequential president", he says.

  11. Security seal breach made it impossible to resume dinner - Trumppublished at 16:24 BST

    Trump is then asked about his immediate response to the shooting - and whether he had been told there was no additional threat when he indicated he wanted to continue the night.

    He says: "I hated a guy like this... changing the course of our country". He says everyone would have had to leave - "what, for one nut?"

    Trump adds that he "really wanted" to continue the event but the protocol was no.

    The room was sealed but once the door was opened, it would have broken the seal, he says.

    Officials "did the right thing" by going back to the White House for a news conference, he adds.

    He says he hopes the rescheduled event can take place soon, adding that he was going to "really rip it" in last night's planned speech.

  12. Trump says secure White House ballroom needed to avoid further security issuespublished at 16:19 BST

    Asked if he has concerns about holding the rescheduled event at the Hilton again, Trump says it's always tough when you have a thousand rooms.

    He also reiterates his past comments on the need for a secure ballroom at the White House, which he says is under construction ahead of schedule and on budget.

    Trump is then asked if he's hopeful that last night's incident will push Congress to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service and has been locked in a funding dispute for months.

    Trump doesn't directly answer the question, and instead pivots to talking about what a great job law enforcement agents are doing.

    He also adds that the suspect is "a sick guy" and "a very troubled guy" who "hates Christians".

  13. Trump answers questions in first interview since correspondents' dinner shootingpublished at 16:16 BST

    Close up of Donald Trump in tuxedo speaking in the White House press briefing roomImage source, Reuters

    US President Donald Trump is currently speaking to Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich for his first interview since last night's incident.

    Trump says he and the first lady are fine after what he describes as a "very sad evening in many ways", but also one where "many people got together".

    He is asked about the suspect of the shooting and his motive amid reports that he had a manifesto in his hotel room saying he wanted to target Trump administration officials.

    The president is also asked about reports suggesting the alleged gunman's brother notified New London Police about his plans prior to last night's incident.

    "I heard about the [New] London situation and I wish they would have told us about it a little bit," Trump says, adding that "it is what it is".

    He praises the Secret Service and all law enforcement as "outstanding", adding that the suspect came running in like "an NFL running back" and they "stopped him cold".

    "He never came close to getting through the door or close to the door," he says.

  14. Washington wakes up after a chaotic nightpublished at 15:59 BST

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    White House reporter

    External shot of the White House taken from outside the iron gatesImage source, Reuters

    There is an odd feeling in Washington this morning, now about 14 hours since the shooting took place.

    Many reporters and other attendees at the dinner have been exchanging messages, describing what they saw from their vantage points and how the rest of their evening went.

    Many - perhaps most - of the journalists immediately got to work last night, sprinting or biking to the White House or their bureaus in their evening wear.

    But now that things are calmer, many are trying to piece together the evening.

    Small details that one might not have remembered in the moment are beginning to emerge.

    In my own case, I've now realised that I missed being much closer to the shooting by just a few moments.

    A friend of mine - a journalist at a European broadcaster - reminded me that we both had a brief conversation while walking to the bathrooms, which were located just feet from where the incident took place. I made it back to my seat, but she was forced to shelter in place in the bathroom.

    Several after parties still took place last night amid hightened security measures, and a general absence of reporters. Others are planned for today.

    The shooting will dominate conversation in Washington today.

    There are no public events or remarks on President Trump's public schedule today, although he is expected to give a television interview shortly.

  15. Trump was 'truly fearless' after Washington hotel shooting, says Leavittpublished at 15:56 BST

    U.S. first lady Melania Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in WashingtonImage source, Reuters

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says what was supposed to be a fun evening was "hijacked by a depraved crazy person who sought to assassinate the President and kill as many top Trump administration officials as possible".

    Leavitt says in a statement on X that she was with the president back stage "after we were quickly ushered to safety by Secret Service", adding that he was "truly fearless".

    She reiterates Trump's comments that "this political violence needs to end", and thanks "law enforcement for keeping all of us safe".

  16. 'Best of American leadership' on show last night, says FBI directorpublished at 15:46 BST

    FBI Director Kash Patel stands at podium during Washington press conference last night following shootingImage source, EPA

    FBI Director Kash Patel says "the best of American leadership" was on show last night.

    "I am proud to work for President Trump who so strongly backs law enforcement across this country - and proud to lead this agency that works 24/7 to keep Americans safe," he writes on X.

    He notes that the investigation is ongoing and asks people to get in touch with any information.

  17. University professor tells AP suspect was 'polite and a good fellow'published at 15:43 BST

    A computer science professor who taught suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen at California State University-Dominguez Hills says he was good and polite.

    “[Allen] was a very good student indeed, always sitting in the first row of my class, paying attention, and frequently emailing me with coursework questions," Bin Tang tells the Associated Press news agency.

    "Soft spoken, very polite, a good fellow. I am very shocked to see the news."

    The university has confirmed that a student named Cole Allen graduated in 2025 - but said it could not confirm if this was the same man suspected in the shooting.

  18. Written material in suspect's hotel room being examined - CBSpublished at 15:30 BST

    The suspect's writings are being examined as part of the investigation into the attack, according to the BBC's US partner, CBS News.

    CBS is citing three unnamed federal law enforcement officials.

    The materials were found written on paper in the suspect's hotel room, CBS says.

    The Washington Hilton hotelImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The Washington Hilton hotel, where the shooting incident happened at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner

  19. Decision on royal visit should come in next few hourspublished at 15:20 BST

    Daniela Relph
    Senior royal correspondent, reporting from Washington DC

    We should have a final decision on whether the state visit of the King and Queen goes ahead in the next few hours.

    The UK government will decide if it is safe for the King and Queen to continue with the programme in liaison with Buckingham Palace, the White House and the UK embassy in Washington DC.

    The mood music is that this visit will happen - but royal sources say "light adjustments" may be made to certain engagements.

  20. UK ambassador says King's state visit expected to go ahead - CBSpublished at 15:10 BST

    Turner speaking at an eventImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Christian Turner has been UK ambassador to the US since February 2026

    Our royal correspondent reported earlier that King Charles will probably still travel to the US for his state visit tomorrow, despite last night's attack in Washington.

    Now, the UK ambassador to the US has told CBS News that King Charles is still expected to travel to the US.

    Christian Turner says the King is still due to arrive at the White House on Monday, and his presence will be honoured at a dinner the following night.