A now‑viral video showing an unidentified woman calmly carrying bottles of wine out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner surfaced after the annual event was abruptly evacuated Saturday, April 25, in the wake of a man opening fire at the venue.
The footage, taken inside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, shows a woman wearing a black fur coat picking up two bottles as other guests rush to exit. The clip quickly spread across social media, sparking debate over whether the moment was in poor taste or an understandable response amid the chaos of the evacuation.
The identity of the woman remains unknown, and it is unclear whether she was a journalist or a guest at the event.
Trump officials evacuate White House press dinner amid reported shooting
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Security officials evacuate U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a possible shooter opened fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance, said a shooter was apprehended in a social media post.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner minutes after it began, as attendees took cover on the floor.
More: More charges expected after shooting at WH correspondents’ dinner: Live updates
The man accused of firing outside the Washington dinner attended by President Donald Trump was charged Monday, April 27, with attempting to assassinate a U.S. president. The charge could carry a life sentence if the suspect is convicted, prosecutors said.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, made his first court appearance two days after authorities say he fired shots outside the ballroom hosting the annual black‑tie gathering of journalists and politicians.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Allen held in custody until at least Thursday, April 30, when he is scheduled to return to court for a detention hearing.
See the video here
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See the viral moment where wine is grabbed at the WHCA dinner
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