Trump unharmed after shooting at correspondents’ dinner
A man armed with a gun and knives attacked the lobby outside a high-profile journalists’ dinner attended by US President Donald Trump and senior leaders, before secret service agents surrounded and detained him.
Trump escaped unharmed and was removed.
Guests dived under tables as the incident unfolded, and some reported hearing gunshots outside the vast underground ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where the event was held Saturday night local time.
A law enforcement official said a gunman opened fire. A police officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was shot but is expected to be OK, multiple sources told The Associated Press.
The shooting suspect, whom Trump described as a “sick individual,” was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told the AP.
Two hours later at the White House, safe and uninjured and still in his tuxedo, Trump said, “When you’re effective, they come after you. When you’re not impressive, they leave you alone.” “They think he’s a lone wolf.”
There was no immediate indication of another incident, and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said she had no reason to believe anyone else was involved.
In the video released by Trump, the suspect was seen breaking through security barricades while Secret Service agents were running towards him.
“There does not appear to be any danger to the public at this time,” Bowser said at a separate news conference.
All officials protected by the secret service were evacuated. Those attending the meeting on a night when the country was at war with Iran included Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with many other leaders of the Trump administration.
For the third time since 2024, the president was under threat from an attacker in his inner circle, including an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, that injured him and killed a local firefighter.
“We need security today at a level that probably no one has ever seen before,” the president said. But he also said: “We will not let anyone take over our society.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said charges related to Saturday night’s attack will be filed shortly and the investigation is ongoing.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who stood by Trump, said the agency examined a long gun and bullet casings found at the scene and also interviewed witnesses at the dinner.
The guests were eating spring pea and burrata salad when the noise started; Trump said he initially thought it was a tray falling, but some reporters believed there were five to eight gunshots.
Hundreds of guests took shelter under tables, while secret service and other officials filled the room.
As the president was led offstage, chants of “God Bless America” began to rise from a corner.
He fell briefly, apparently tripping, and was helped by secret service agents. Outside the hotel, National Guard and other officials flooded the area as helicopters circled overhead.
After an initial attempt to continue, the event has been canceled for the night and will be rescheduled.
Dinner guest Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York said he heard an explosion and said, “We didn’t know what it was. And then you heard all kinds of crashing.”
In 1981, US President Ronald Reagan and John Hinckley Jr. He was shot in front of the Hilton by; This incident led to a redesign of the property, increasing security and adding a private presidential suite near the entrance where senior executives could be received.
Trump was sent there shortly after the incident on Saturday night.
