Arizona leaders react to shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner

PHOENIX — Arizona leaders shared their reactions after a shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday night.

U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh was at the dinner and posted a video thanking his senior law enforcement advisor for getting him and two other congressmen, Reps. Marlin Stutzman (Indiana) and Andy Ogles (Tennessee), to safety. Stutzman appeared alongside Hamadeh and described the moment gunshots went off.

“All of a sudden, like 50 to 75 feet over my left shoulder, gunshots go off and we all just jumped underneath the table,” Stutzman said. “But everybody is safe that were around me and obviously very scared and concerned.”

Back in my office in the Capitol with @RepStutzman after the shooting at the White House Correspondence Dinner. pic.twitter.com/FgGeeOdRii

— Abe Hamadeh (@AbrahamHamadeh) April 26, 2026

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs shared that he was grateful no one was harmed, but called the incident “a reminder that evil exists.”

Tonight was another reminder that evil exists and that those who carry out its schemes seek to wreak chaos within our Constitutional Republic. I’m grateful no harm came to our president or any elected or administration official, or journalist in the room. May God bless and keep…

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) April 26, 2026

Sen. Mark Kelly echoed Biggs’ sentiment about being thankful no one was harmed and highlighted law enforcement’s quick response.

I’m thankful that the President and others at the correspondents dinner are safe, and for the quick response from law enforcement.

— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) April 26, 2026

Arizona’s other U.S. senator, Ruben Gallego, also gave credit to law enforcement and the United States Secret Service before stating that “violence is the opposite of everything we stand for” and “can never tolerated.”

Thank you to security, law enforcement, and US Secret Service for keeping everyone safe at tonight’s correspondents’ dinner. I’m grateful no one was hurt.

Tonight is supposed to be about celebrating free speech — a foundational American value. Violence is the opposite of…

— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 26, 2026

Rep. Greg Stanton called the incident “dangerous” and “harrowing,” noting that was praying for the safety of everyone in attendance.

I’m grateful for the swift response from Secret Service after a dangerous and harrowing incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Praying for the safety of all in attendance.

— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) April 26, 2026

Meanwhile, Gov. Katie Hobbs emphasized that violence has no place in politics, calling what happened “horrifying.”

This is horrifying.

Violence has no place in our politics. I hope President Trump and all others in attendance are safe. https://t.co/96PDtAAgvk

— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) April 26, 2026

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