President Donald Trump says a man armed with multiple weapons charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, forcing his evacuation from the Washington Hilton and sending attendees diving for cover as gunfire broke out. One officer was shot, but Trump said the officer survived because he was wearing “obviously a very good bulletproof vest.”
Trump told reporters later in the White House briefing room the suspect was “taken down” by U.S. Secret Service agents after the incident disrupted one of Washington’s highest-profile political and media events.
“I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great,” Trump said.
The suspected shooter was later identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, California, according to a former senior law enforcement official briefed on the matter who spoke to MS NOW. The Associated Press, citing two law enforcement officials, reported the suspect is 31 years old. AP identified him as Cole Tomas Allen.
Trump was rushed off the stage of the Washington Hilton hotel ballroom seconds after gunfire rang out. People inside the room dropped under tables as security moved to protect the president and other senior officials.
Trump said he “fought like hell” to stay at the dinner, where he was scheduled to speak for the first time as president. He said law enforcement officials urged him and other administration members to leave the premises.
Before his press conference, Trump shared images on Truth Social appearing to show the alleged shooter after being subdued, along with security footage of the incident.
In a separate post after leaving the event, Trump said first lady Melania Trump and all Cabinet members who attended “are in perfect condition.”
He added, “I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”
At the White House, Trump credited the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for acting quickly.
“This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press,” Trump said. “And in a certain way, it did, because the fact that they just unified, I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful.”
Several top Trump administration officials attended the dinner, including Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Asked whether he believed he was the suspect’s target, Trump said, “I guess.” He said investigators are questioning the suspect and more details about motive will emerge in the coming days.
“You know he’s in custody, and they’re asking him a lot of questions,” Trump said.
The shooting comes after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a July 2024 campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Months later, another man tried to assassinate him while he was golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Authorities are expected to release more information as the investigation moves forward.
