President Donald Trump is safe after a shooting sparked chaos during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening.
Gunshots rang out inside the hotel shortly after 8:30pm, prompting scenes of panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover beneath tables.
A male assailant shot and injured one law enforcement officer, before being detained near the hotel screening area, officials said. The man in custody has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to The New York Times.
Following the incident, the annual black-tie dinner was canceled, and Trump hosted a press conference at the White House shortly after 10:30pm, where he applauded law enforcement for their swift response.
Still dressed in his tuxedo from the dinner, Trump called the assailant a “thug” and a “lone wolf,” while Justice Department officials said the suspect has been charged with firearms and assault charges.
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ICYMI: Here’s what to know about the shooting
In case you missed it, here are the key things to know about tonight’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
- Shortly after 8:30 p.m., shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton, where President Trump, top administration officials and hundreds of journalists were gathered for an annual black-tie dinner.
- Secret Service agents immediately rushed the dais and evacuated the president, along with other Cabinet officials. Attendees still inside crouched beneath tables to take cover.
- The assailant was quickly apprehended by law enforcement.
- Initially, organizers said the event would continue, but it was later canceled.
- Shortly after 10:30 p.m., Trump hosted a press conference at the White House, during which he praised law enforcement for their speedy response. He said the shooter struck one officer, who was protected by a bullet proof vest.
- Trump described the shooter as a “thug” and a “lone wolf.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal charges would be filed imminently.
- The man in custody has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to The New York Times, citing two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter.
- The dinner will be rescheduled for the near future, Trump said.
Australian PM applauds swift response to shooting
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has praised the secret service and law enforcement agencies for the swift response to the shooting.
He joined those expressing their relief that President Trump and the First Lady were safe following the shocking incident.
Watch: Scenes of chaos and confusion as guests shelter under tables
Footage from inside the dinner has revealed scenes of chaos and confusion as panicked guests took shelter under tables.
Secret service agents can be seen swarming the ballroom at the Washington Hilton after the gunman tried to storm the event, but was captured by law enforcement at a checkpoint in the hotel lobby.
Reactions divided about initial plan for White House Correspondents Dinner to continue after shots fired
Reaction was mixed to the White House Correspondents Dinner plan to continue after shots were fired in the venue and President Donald Trump and others were rushed from the room
One user X commented: “Now they’re talking about continuing this show? Are they crazy?
“HOLY CRAP! President Trump is STORMING BACK to the stage at the WHCA Dinner after the shooter was downed,” added conservative journalist Eric Daugherty. It’s unclear if Trump is returning to the event.
“He’s NEVER RELENTING! Our President the BEST! He makes it through everything.”
Eventually, it was announced the event would be scheduled to a later date.
Reactions mixed about initial plan for White House Correspondents Dinner to continue
Shots rang out in the building hosting the annual media eventShweta Sharma
Sir Keir Starmer condemns shooting in Washington in message to Trump
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington must be “condemned in the strongest possible terms”.
In a post on X, he tagged President Trump and said it is a “huge relief” that the president and First Lady are safe.
In pictures: FBI search house linked to suspect in Torrance, California
The Independent's White House says ‘Don’t know why, but I recognized the sound as gunshots'
President Donald Trump had seemingly just arrived — and the military color guard could not have been out of the room for more than a few minutes — when what sounded like five shots rang out from just behind the door closest to the table that my two colleagues and I had been assigned to for Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop,” the jarring sounds rang out in rapid succession.
People told me they thought a server had dropped a tray behind closed doors. For some reason, I knew better.
I don't know why I recognized the sound as gunshots, but I did.
‘I recognized the gunshots — with Trump in the room — and then something shook me’
People told me they thought a server had dropped a tray behind closed doors. For some reason, I knew better, Andrew Feinberg reports from inside the Hilton ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as mayhem ensuedShweta Sharma
'No reason to believe' anyone else involved in shooting, DC mayor says
There is ‘no reason to believe’ anyone else was involved the shooting, Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser said.
She told reporters the gunman was apprehended after he rushed a secret service checkpoint in the hotel lobby. One law enforcement official was shot, but saved by his bullet proof vest.
“We are so very thankful to members of law enforcement who did their jobs tonight and made sure that all guests were safe,” she added. “We have no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved.”
Starmer sends message of 'solidarity' to Trump after gunman storms Washington dinner
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent a message to Donald Trump "in solidarity" after a gunman armed with “multiple weapons” tried to charge a Washington dinner.
Officials also revealed security discussions are underway ahead of King Charles’ state visit to the US next week, which includes several a White House banquet.
Asked about last night's chaos, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones told Sky News: "These are remarkable scenes. The prime minister has this morning sent a message to the President of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place.
"He also said that "extensive discussions" are taking place over the King's security ahead of his state visit to the United States next week.
"As you would imagine, with the His Majesty the King, this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place", Mr Jones said.
Asked whether the government now has any extra concerns about the King's security, he said: "As you would imagine, the government and the Palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days."
Shooting raises questions about security at event
The shooting on Saturday night of a Secret Service agent at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner raises questions yet again about the protection afforded to America's political leaders at a time of increased political violence.
Hundreds of agents from several law enforcement agencies were tasked with protecting the annual bash, which President Donald Trump headlined this year.
Yet a suspect with a shotgun and other weapons managed to get just a floor above the Washington ballroom where an extraordinary concentration of cabinet members, high-ranking lawmakers and celebrities were dining.
In addition to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and various other government officials were in attendance, many with their own security details.
