Story perspectives

Substack CEO Locks Down Washington Hilton After Dinner Shooting

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Substack CEO Chris Best told guests they were safe and locked the party down for an hour after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton.
Servers served tequila shots and crab cake sliders during the lockdown.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins and Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost stayed and later danced.
The shooting on April 25 at White House Correspondents' dinner led to a suspect's arrest while President Donald Trump gave a conference.

History

Historical Context

In August 1968, Mayor Richard J. Daley ordered 800 National Guard troops to confront demonstrators outside Conrad Hilton during the Democratic National Convention, a clash that left 152 officers wounded and sparked investigations and calls for police reform. That legacy shaped the lockdown of Washington Hilton after gunfire at White House Correspondents’ dinner, where Substack CEO Chris Best, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and Rep. Maxwell Frost remained on site.

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Story summary

Substack CEO Chris Best told guests they were safe and locked the party down for an hour after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton.
Servers served tequila shots and crab cake sliders during the lockdown.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins and Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost stayed and later danced.
The shooting on April 25 at White House Correspondents' dinner led to a suspect's arrest while President Donald Trump gave a conference.

1 / 2