President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were hurriedly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner following an armed security incident, according to U.S. officials.
Reports indicate that a man opened fire with a shotgun at security personnel at the Washington Hilton hotel, triggering a swift response from Secret Service agents who secured the area and escorted the president, cabinet members, and other high-profile attendees to safety.
An FBI official said that the suspect fired directly at a Secret Service agent.
The officer, however, was protected by a bulletproof vest and is in stable condition. Speaking about two hours after the incident, President Trump confirmed the officer was in “good shape.”
What they are saying
The suspect has since been arrested. Trump described him as a “sick person,” while authorities confirmed that all federal officials at the event, including the president, were unharmed.
- “A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service,” Trump said during a press briefing at the White House.
Closed-circuit footage later shared by the president showed the suspect running through a security checkpoint, briefly catching personnel off guard before being subdued.
- “He charged from about 50 yards away… he was moving very fast,” Trump added, noting that the gala dinner was subsequently canceled.
Officials believe the suspect acted alone, describing him as a “lone wolf.” Trump added that the individual appeared “dangerous” at the time of arrest.
Authorities later identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. Prosecutors say he will face federal charges, including two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. He is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
Eyewitness accounts described moments of panic as gunshots rang out shortly after the president and first lady were introduced.
Attendees said they took cover as security personnel moved swiftly to contain the situation.
The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, a longstanding fixture on Washington’s social and political calendar, was being held in the basement ballroom of the Hilton Hotel.
The event typically brings together senior government officials, journalists, and business leaders.
Saturday’s appearance marked Trump’s first attendance at the dinner as president, having boycotted the event during his first term and again in 2025.
The U.S. Secret Service has maintained that its layered security system worked effectively, preventing the suspect from breaching the main ballroom where top officials were gathered.
However, the incident is expected to raise fresh concerns about security protocols at high-profile presidential events, particularly in light of previous threats and assassination attempts.
Despite speculation, President Trump said the attack does not appear linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the U.S. conflict with Iran, adding that investigations into the motive are ongoing.
