Karoline Leavitt Delays Maternity Leave After White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Incident

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News (2 / 1) 27.04.2026 15:55 / Silia

Chaos at the dinner

Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, were seated onstage at the Washington Hilton during the Correspondents' Dinner on April 25 when a man breached a security checkpoint. Attendees reported hearing shots and smelling gunpowder. Police later said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. The event was canceled and senior officials reconvened at the White House for a briefing.

Investigation and family life

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, Calif., and said he faced charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. Officials added he allegedly wrote a manifesto expressing intent to target administration officials. Leavitt and Riccio, married in January 2025, announced in December 2025 they are expecting a baby girl in May 2026 and share a 1-year-old son, Niko. Leavitt previously cut short maternity leave after an attack in Butler, Pa., to return to work.