DC-Shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner, April 25, 2026

[Katrinepa]

For me, the answer to this one is obvious.

And to repeat, this guy was suicidal. He was going for suicide by cop. Probably wanted to go down in a blaze of glory, and had visions of martyrdom in his sick, twisted, and deranged mental state. The culture of hatred, the absolute inability of many to accept the current administration, the twisted thinking and violent rhetoric that has permeated politics and the media.... the results are apparent.

The only alternative to this would be a total mental insanity situation, as nobody in their right mind would attempt to do what he attempted and rationally think they'd live through it.

No blaze of 'glory'. He wrote that he did not include Patel because he is considered law enforcement, and didn't want to hurt any law enforcement, or workers, other guests, which is why he used buckshot. What he wrote, which was found in his hotel room, his home, and letters sent to his family. BTW, Patel is Indian, and this man is half white, half black. I wish he had thought about all those who would be affected by his actions. So sad overall. He probably should have gotten some psychological help.
He also wrote about how lax the security was at the hotel before the event, even saying that if an Iranian sniper wanted to enter with an automatic weapon(sorry, not famililiar with guns or types, and forget his exact words), they could have easily wiped out many people.

 

[NuttMegg]

Where did that come from? I've not read anything about it being it available as a rental!

It's for the same purpose of the current (too small) halls/rooms that are used for all the functions/state dinners/ceremonies etc, since 1874!
Here are the Obama's hosting a crowded state dinner in 2011.
That's what the complaint has been for years. No event space to accomodate events.

Sorry, when you said celebratory events it was in addition to international dinners. (Your post 193.) So it appeared that you were justifying the ballroom for celebratory events that aren't state events.

That's why I brought up using part of the white house, ie the new ballroom to rent out for non state events.

I can hardly count the ways that it's a bad idea to consider making the peoples' ballroom open to private events.

 

[statt#1]

No blaze of 'glory'. He wrote that he did not include Patel because he is considered law enforcement, and didn't want to hurt any law enforcement, or workers, other guests, which is why he used buckshot. What he wrote, which was found in his hotel room, his home, and letters sent to his family. BTW, Patel is Indian, and this man is half white, half black. I wish he had thought about all those who would be affected by his actions. So sad overall. He probably should have gotten some psychological help.

Call it as you wish. I say he was suicidal. Or seriously deranged. Probably both. <modsnip: no source>

 

[Katrinepa]

Yes, and I question as to how he also entered the hotel with a shotgun, pistol and ammunition and also, how on earth was he able to secure a room just the day before?

Long time ago, when Reagan was coming to my college campus, where I was working, before he flew in, Secret Service came for two days and checked every room, bathrooms, closets, tiny spaces. Very strange they did not do the same thing with the Hotel! The information we have been given does not add up at all.

 

[lonetraveler]

LOL, I would be tempted to grab a bottle myself.

…

And this women took some wine.

Woman seen snatching wine bottles in aftermath of White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

A woman was caught on camera blissfully snatching bottles of wine during the aftermath after a shooting sparked pandemonium at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

nypost.com

 

[moonglow123]

Long time ago, when Reagan was coming to my college campus, where I was working, before he flew in, Secret Service came for two days and checked every room, bathrooms, closets, tiny spaces. Very strange they did not do the same thing with the Hotel! The information we have been given does not add up at all.

Yep, I would feel this shocked and disturbed regardless of who was President! How does security keep failing this catastrophically?!

2024 was a horrific failure because somehow a gunman was able to pose himself on a nearby roof, and an innocent man died.

And now, thankfully no one was hurt but someone being able to barge/sprint into the building, and make it a mere room from most of our country’s leaders is crazy!

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

True, but the state dinners you're talking about have nothing to do with last night's event. I'm confused by the correlation. Having the ballroom would have done nothing to prevent what happened last night as the event is not a state-sanctioned event. It's a private event, hosted by and in honor of the media.

MOO.

If read with the post I quoted, I think my reply to that post not confusing.
Trump said, last night, that security would be better if events could be held at the White House new ballroom. Better security, less people shot/killed, I'm thinking, so I agreed.
I don't think he specified if he included that this particular event could be done at the White House. He didn't say it could as a fact, I didn't either, I have no opinion about it.
I replied also to the comment that said they should just have fewer parties and galas. I don't think that is a good solution, disagreed and cited a very long history of state dinners and other events that are important (whether or not in cramped rooms or new ballroom, but there is indeed a shortage of space for state dinners).

 

[justtrish]

The reporters didn't cause this. They are victims in this scenario, just like everyone else. Only one person is at fault here and that's Cole Allen.

MOO.

I agree they didn't cause it, but reporting has changed over the years and what used to be pretty straight forward reporting is getting more and more divided and sensationalized. How things are reported on does matter. I've seen it form most all MSM so this isn't meant to be one way or another, it's all of them. I'm not happy that any of them were in this situation. I don't wish anyone to be harmed.

 

[NuttMegg]

Dbm

 

[Katrinepa]

Yep, I would feel this shocked and disturbed regardless of who was President! How does security keep failing this catastrophically?!

2024 was a horrific failure because somehow a gunman was able to pose himself on a nearby roof, and an innocent man died.

And now, thankfully no one was hurt but someone being able to barge/sprint into the building, and make it a mere room from most of our country’s leaders is crazy!

The video clearly shows the whole incident happening outside, and not near the venue room. It's on some news feeds, like CBS. Still frightening and too close for comfort, as he did intend to kill people. All these type incidents scares everyone, not just those closely involved, but every one of us feels fear and anxiety.

 

[Gemmie]

One reporter's first hand account of what went down.

Video: What Our Reporter Saw During the D.C. Shooting

Our reporter was with President Trump at the White House correspondents’ dinner when a gunman breached security. He describes the frantic scenes that unfolded.

www.nytimes.com

 

[knla]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2048545392204095850

Trump on 60 minutes tonight.

 

[Katrinepa]

I agree they didn't cause it, but reporting has changed over the years and what used to be pretty straight forward reporting is getting more and more divided and sensationalized. How things are reported on does matter. I've seen it form most all MSM so this isn't meant to be one way or another, it's all of them. I'm not happy that any of them were in this situation. I don't wish anyone to be harmed.

True Trish. Mainstream media is owned by very few billionaires, and are told what they can report on, which is not the whole truth is many cases in the USA these days. Look at a couple taped shows/interviews, one being for 60 Minutes, that were pulled by the new Maga hierarchy recently.
News agencies from overseas are the only ones giving all the facts, along with unpaid news from podcasts with lawyers, ex military/ex spies, historians, and reporters going out on their own.

 

[mickey2942]

MOO, is that if anyone has ever worked for the United States government, you would understand the incompetence of the security.

 

[witchway]

I have seen a million videos of the suspect blowing through the detectors. The removals of the President and staff. Even a woman taking wine. And a man eating his salad.

I haven’t seen the engagement after the suspect ran through the detectors and was apprehended. Has anyone?

 

[MarcG]

LOL, I would be tempted to grab a bottle myself.

Micro-looting by the rich and famous.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

If read with the post I quoted, I think my reply to that post not confusing.
Trump said, last night, that security would be better if events could be held at the White House new ballroom. Better security, less people shot/killed, I'm thinking, so I agreed.
I don't think he specified if he included that this particular event could be done at the White House. He didn't say it could as a fact, I didn't either, I have no opinion about it.
I replied also to the comment that said they should just have fewer parties and galas. I don't think that is a good solution, disagreed and cited a very long history of state dinners and other events that are important (whether or not in cramped rooms or new ballroom, but there is indeed a shortage of space for state dinners).

Yeah, but he brought it up in this context at his press conference, so that's where my comment comes in.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I agree they didn't cause it, but reporting has changed over the years and what used to be pretty straight forward reporting is getting more and more divided and sensationalized. How things are reported on does matter. I've seen it form most all MSM so this isn't meant to be one way or another, it's all of them. I'm not happy that any of them were in this situation. I don't wish anyone to be harmed.

I still disagree that MSM had anything to do with inspiring Cole Allen. The problem lies in social media, not MSM, IMO. I also think we should differentiate between MSM and opinion shows as they have a different purpose. The major change that we all recognize is the rise of editorial content and opinion shows, not necessarily in the standards of MSM.

MOO.

 

[Sundog]

That’s a fair question.

Maybe since he was able to book a room on the same night in the same hotel as when Trump et.al. would be there?

I would expect that if I tried to reserve a room at the Hilton for that night, I would be told that there was no availability, but that they would be happy to have me there the next night. (In proper hospitality language).

Do we know that he booked the room on Friday night or did he make a reservation in advance, online maybe?

 

[Sundog]

I meant more than just words in a text.

Assuming he finally got to the correct floor after spraying buckshot pellets, then to the correct room, with a mass of 2600 ppl, where was his plan to find his targets. And prioritize them.

In effect he had no plan.

Which makes him even more dangerous. In a panic he could have just started shooting and taken many lives, knowing that his was over. I do wonder where he got the firearms and when, and if he had been going to target practice somewhere. I assume that LE/FBI are looking into this. Also, were the family gun owners or just CA? Did his family members know he had firearms in the house?