Gunfire panic at White House dinner revives memories of Ronald Reagan-era attack at Washington Hilton

Washington: A shooting scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night has revived memories of the 1981 assassination attempt on former US president Ronald Reagan, as panic unfolded at the same venue, The Washington Hilton, more than four decades later.

The hotel, hosting the annual gala attended by President Donald Trump, was the site where Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr on March 30, 1981, shortly after addressing an event there. The attacker fired six shots in a matter of seconds as Reagan exited the building.

One of the bullets ricocheted off the presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest, seriously wounding him. Three others were injured in the attack, including then press secretary James Brady, a police officer and a Secret Service agent. Reagan was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and later recovered.


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Hinckley was arrested at the scene and was subsequently found not guilty by reason of insanity, a verdict that sparked widespread debate in the United States at the time.

On Saturday night, a similar sense of alarm gripped the Washington Hilton as gunshots were reported during the Correspondents’ Dinner. Secret Service agents swiftly moved into action, swarming across the ballroom as startled guests ducked under tables and plates crashed to the floor.

Seated at the head table, Trump appeared startled as the shots rang out, while First Lady Melania Trump was visibly shaken. Agents, some with weapons drawn, quickly surrounded the president and escorted him off the stage through a back curtain as attendees, including journalists, cabinet members and senior officials, crouched in shock.

Witnesses described hearing urgent cries of “Get down” and “Stay down” as the music abruptly stopped and the vast ballroom fell silent, replaced by the sounds of movement and commands from security personnel securing the area.

In a post on Truth Social following the incident, Trump described it as “quite an evening” and praised security agencies for doing a “fantastic job,” adding that the suspect had been apprehended and that “the show must go on.”

The Washington Hilton has long carried the legacy of the 1981 attack and is sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Hinckley Hilton.” The recurrence of a security scare at the same venue has again drawn attention to its place in US political history.

Reagan, who served as president from 1981 to 1989, survived the assassination attempt and returned to duty within weeks. His composure and remarks following the shooting boosted his popularity and cemented his image as a resilient leader. He went on to become a central figure in modern conservative politics, and remains an enduring icon within the Republican Party.

Even decades after leaving office, Reagan’s legacy continues to command respect among conservatives. A portrait of the former president has often been noted in the Oval Office during Trump’s tenure, symbolising the lasting influence of Reagan-era politics.

A veteran Republican strategist, Charlie Black, who worked on Reagan’s presidential campaigns in 1976, 1980 and 1984, has noted that Reagan’s policy approach—marked by support for free trade, immigration reform, strong ties with NATO and a willingness to compromise with Democrats—differs significantly from positions taken by Trump in recent years, according to a Reuters report.

Reagan first swept to power in 1980, defeating incumbent president Jimmy Carter by a wide margin, amid voter concerns over inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. He assumed office on January 20, 1981, and was shot just 69 days into his presidency, an event that shocked the nation but ultimately strengthened public support for him.

Security arrangements at the Correspondents’ Dinner have typically focused on the ballroom area, with the rest of the hotel remaining accessible to the public. This has, in past years, allowed occasional disruptions in common areas, including protests and demonstrations.

Also Read: Cries of ‘Get down!’ & correspondents ‘ducked under the table’; media recalls panic and chaos at White House dinner shooting

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Saturday’s incident, including how the suspect was able to approach the secured venue. Meanwhile, CBS News reported that the alleged suspect told authorities he had been targeting Trump administration officials, citing sources familiar with the investigation.

(With inputs from TOI and agencies)