‘Nerd prom’ under fire: WHCA to overhaul security after shooting disrupts gala

WASHINGTON: What was supposed to be a night of satire and celebration of the First Amendment turned into a scene of tactical urgency and fear on Friday night, as gunfire erupted inside the Washington Hilton during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner.

The security breach, occurring in a room filled with the nation’s most powerful political figures and media elite, has sent shockwaves through the capital and prompted an immediate, top-to-bottom review of safety protocols for high-profile events.

As the sound of shots rang out, the celebratory atmosphere vanished. US Secret Service agents and local law enforcement moved with “decisive speed” to secure the ballroom. The primary focus was the immediate evacuation of the ‘Big Three’ — the President, First Lady, and Vice President — all of whom were confirmed to have escaped the venue unharmed.

While thousands of guests were protected by the rapid intervention, the night was not without a toll. One law enforcement officer sustained injuries while neutralising the threat and is currently undergoing treatment. Authorities confirmed there were no fatalities.

Video of White House Correspondents Association evacuation via @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/e2r0JUIdpP

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 26, 2026

In a formal statement released following the incident, WHCA president Weijia Jiang praised the resilience of the press corps. Rather than fleeing, many journalists remained on site, using their phones and laptops to file live updates as the ballroom was still being swept by tactical teams.

“Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it”, Jiang stated. “Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded”.

The incident has cast a long shadow over the future of the ‘Nerd Prom’. Despite the intense vetting usually required for the event, the breach has raised uncomfortable questions about how a firearm was introduced into one of the most heavily secured rooms in the world.

The injured officer is reportedly in stable condition; the WHCA has called for a “full and speedy recovery”. The WHCA board is set to meet in the coming days to perform a forensic review of the evening. Future dinners may see a dramatic shift in guest vetting, metal detection and venue choice.

In its official statement, the WHCA said, “Last night’s shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance”

“We express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond. Their actions protected thousands of guests, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty”.

“We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the President, the First Lady, and the Vice President. The WHCA board will be meeting to assess what happened and determine how to proceed. We will provide updates as soon as any are available”, it said.

WHCA president Weijia Jiang said the board will meet in the coming days to determine next steps and assess potential adjustments to future dinners. The annual event, traditionally focused on celebrating press freedom and the First Amendment, now faces renewed scrutiny over security measures in high-profile political gatherings. (ANI)