Caitríona Perry Shares Firsthand Account of Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Former RTÉ broadcaster and BBC News chief presenter Caitríona Perry has provided a detailed eyewitness account of the shooting that occurred during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night. Speaking through an Instagram video and subsequent interviews, Perry described the chaos that unfolded when an individual opened fire outside the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held.

Perry said she was “diving for cover” under a table after hearing loud noises, including the sound of crockery and glasses breaking, followed by tables falling over and loud thuds. She recounted that security and Secret Service agents rushed into the room, shouting for everyone to acquire down, before additional shots were heard from outside.

According to Perry, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were in attendance and were swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents after the gunfire began. She noted that whereas the president and other officials were rushed to safety, the remaining attendees, including herself, were required to shelter in place until authorities confirmed the threat had been neutralized.

The FBI later confirmed that the individual charged a security checkpoint outside the ballroom before being subdued by Secret Service agents. No injuries were reported among the president, first lady, vice president, or cabinet members present at the event.

Perry, who now works for the BBC in Washington D.C., emphasized the shock of experiencing such violence during an event meant to celebrate the First Amendment and support journalism scholarships. She shared footage from inside the venue, showing the immediate aftermath of the incident, and expressed gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement personnel.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an annual gathering of journalists, political figures, and entertainment personalities. This year’s event marked one of the first times in several years that President Trump attended the gathering.